Kobe McDonald settling into new life in Australia
Kobe McDonald is unveiled at his new club St Kilda. Pic via St Kilda Facebook
Just over two weeks after winning an All-Ireland with Mayo, Kobe McDonald is settling into a whole new life on the other side of the world.
The Crossmolina prodigy was one of the stars of Mayo’s All-Ireland conquest but is now in Melbourne striving to make it in Australian Rules Football with St Kilda.
The 18-year-old gave his first interview since landing to the St Kilda YouTube channel and has hailed the importance of having his parents Ciarán and Karen with him for the early stages of his move.
“It’s a lot easier when they’re here, it was hard saying goodbye as it is, it would have been a lot harder if I was saying goodbye to both of them. It is very easy to settle in when you go home to them and not home to people you don’t know,” Kobe said.
He was asked, for the Australian audience, to describe the emotions of the All-Ireland win.
“It’s been a whirlwind. It’s been a long time at home, 75 years, since we won it. Always dreamed of winning it with Mayo and it’s extra special to win it alongside my brother and, on the day, it was very emotional, very overwhelmed, probably never cried as much in all my life but, yeah, a nice one to get, thank God,” he said.
He said his first introduction to Aussie Rules was when Oisín Mullin went in 2022 and the chance to be a professional athlete was impossible to turn down.
“I always dreamed of being a professional athlete so when St Kilda gave me the opportunity I could never say no, never turn it down so, yeah, test my skills, test new things, meet new people so it is very exciting,” he said.
He says the first impressions at the club have been very positive.
“It’s been brilliant. Everyone has been so welcoming, makes it a lot easier. Of course there was a bit of nerves coming in first, don’t know many people but they made it so easy, supporters, fans, people that work for the club so it has been very easy,” said Kobe.
As a Category 2 rookie, Kobe McDonald’s first games will likely be in the Victorian Football League and, from there, he will hope to progress to playing top tier AFL games.
“I’m looking forward to making my first VFL debut and hopefully in the near time future, play for the AFL side too, so very excited for that.” He was asked if he would compare his playing style to any Aussie Rules star.
“I won’t marry myself off to any AFL player yet because that might be a bit disrespectful because I haven’t played a game. At home I’m very expressive, I play with a smile on my face, I just love what I’m doing,” he said.
His Mayo teammate Aidan O’Shea has hinted that Kobe will be back for the latter stages of the club championship in Mayo. But, for now, Mayo’s future without Kobe has begun.
