Kobe McDonald named to start for Crossmolina this weekend following sensational return

Kobe McDonald has been named to start for Crossmolina Deel Rovers for their Round 3 Mayo Senior Club Championship encounter against Mayo Gaels this Sunday.

All-Ireland winner McDonald, who jetted out to Melbourne to link up with St Kilda's and embark on a professional AFL career, has been granted permission to play for his local club in the Club Championship.

St Kilda’s season ended recently when they missed out on finals. They finished 11th on the ladder.

St Kilda said that they "understand how much home means to the players and they didn't want to stand in the way of the opportunity to represent the clubs they come from.

It is a big boost for Crossmolina Deel Rovers, who reached the Mayo SFC semi-final last year, and the young star's return has put the 2025 All-Ireland Intermediate Champions among the favourites to capture the Moclair Cup.

All-Ireland winner McDonald has been back in Ireland for over a week now, having jetted out to Melbourne after Mayo’s stunning win over Kerry last month.

Crossmolina could top their group with victory against Mayo Gaels who are facing into a relegation playoff regardless of the result in Sunday's 1pm throw-in in Charlestown. Aghamore and Ballintubber set to duke it out for a place in the quarter-finals elsewhere in the group.

READ OUR FULL WEEKEND MAYO SFC PREVIEW HERE