Kobe McDonald
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native name | Kobe Mac Dómhnaill (Irish) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 8 December 2007 Mayo, Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Student | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Relative | Ciarán McDonald (Father) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Gaelic football | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Corner forward/Half forward | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| *Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 14 June 2026. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kobe McDonald (Irish: Kobe Mac Dómhnaill) (born 8 December 2007) is a Gaelic footballer who plays as a forward for the Mayo county team[1] and at club level for Crossmolina Deel Rovers.[2] He will move codes in late 2026 when he starts his professional career with St Kilda Football Club in the Australian Football League.[3]
Personal Life
McDonald's father is former Mayo gaelic footballer and All Star Ciarán McDonald.
McDonald attends Gortnor Abbey in Crossmolina, where he is a leaving certificate student.[4]
Crossmolina Deel Rovers
Underage
McDonald won a Mayo Minor A championship in 2025. It was Crossmolina's first Minor A title in 32 years.[5]
Senior
McDonald started playing adult football with Crossmolina in 2025.[6]
Mayo
Underage
Minor
In 2024, McDonald won the Connacht Minor Football Championship[7] with Mayo subsequently reaching the All-Ireland Minor Football Championship semi-final, losing to Armagh. He finished the year as the leading scorer in the minor football championship, amassing 4-30 across 7 matches.
Under 20
McDonald was a member of the Under-20 panel as well as the senior panel in 2026. Keith Higgins served as manager of the U-20 Mayo team. Mayo qualified for the Connacht final against Roscommon.[8]
Senior
McDonald made his senior debut for Mayo in a league win over Monaghan on 22 February 2026, scoring 1-4.[9] In his second league appearance, McDonald scored 0-02 in a win versus Armagh.[10] McDonald’s final 2026 league appearance was in a 16 point loss to Kerry, he scored 0-01.[11]
McDonald made his championship debut as an 18 year old Leaving Cert student against Roscommon. Starting corner-forward, he scored 0-06 as Mayo lost 2-25 to 1-18.[12]
Mayo were drawn to face Monaghan in Round 1 of the All-Ireland Championship. In Clones, Mayo won on a 1-24 to 2-20 scoreline. McDonald contributed 1-04 from corner forward.[13]
AFL Career
| Kobe McDonald | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Kobe McDonald | ||
| Born |
8 December 2007 Mayo, Ireland | ||
| Original team | Crossmolina Deel Rovers/Mayo | ||
| Draft | Category B | ||
| Height | 193 cm (6 ft 4 in) | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | St Kilda | ||
| Number | 42 | ||
| Playing career | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2026 - Present | St Kilda | ||
| Source: AustralianFootball.com | |||
In November 2025, McDonald signed with St. Kilda as a Category B rookie. His arrival in Australia is delayed until after he completes his Leaving Certificate examinations.[14]
Underage GAA Statistics
- As of match played 31 May 2026
| Team | Year | Connacht | All-Ireland | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Score | Apps | Score | Apps | Score | |||
| Mayo Minor | 2023 | 0 | 0-00 | 0 | 0–00 | 0 | 0–00 | |
| Mayo Minor | 2024 | 5 | 3-21 | 2 | 1–09 | 7 | 4–30 | |
| Mayo U-20 | 2026 | 0 | 0-00 | 0 | 0–00 | 0 | 0–00 | |
| Total | 0 | 0-00 | 0 | 0–00 | 0 | 0–00 | ||
Senior GAA Statistics
- As of match played 14 June 2026
| Team | Year | FBD Insurance League | National League | Connacht | All-Ireland | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Score | Division | Apps | Score | Apps | Score | Apps | Score | Apps | Score | ||
| Mayo | 2026 | 0 | 0-00 | Division 1 | 3 | 1–07 | 1 | 0–06 | 2 | 1–07 | 6 | 2-20 |
| Total | 0 | 0-00 | 3 | 1–07 | 1 | 0–6 | 2 | 1–07 | 6 | 2–20 | ||
Championship appearances
| List of appearances | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | W/L/D | Competition | |
| 1 | 26 April 2026 | MacHale Park | Roscommon | 0–06 | 1–18 : 2–25 | L | Connacht Semi-Final |
| 2 | 31 May 2026 | St Tiernach's Park | Monaghan | 1–04 | 1–24 : 2–20 | W | All-Ireland Round 1 |
| 3 | 14 June 2026 | Healy Park | Tyrone | 0–03 | 1–18 : 0–22 | L | All-Ireland Round 2A |
GAA Honours
Mayo
- Connacht Minor Football Championship
- (1): 2024
Crossmolina Deel Rovers
- Mayo Minor A Football Championship
- (1): 2025
- Mayo Under 16 A Football Championship
- (1): 2023
References
- ^ "How will Kobe McDonald and Mayo football deal with the hype train?". RTÉ.ie. 15 April 2026.
- ^ "Mayo will enjoy Kobe McDonald for as long as they have him". gaa.ie. 25 February 2026.
- ^ "Kobe McDonald". saints.com.au. 28 April 2026.
- ^ "St. Clare's All-Ireland defence ends as Kobe McDonald wonder goal seals Leitrim schools' exit". leitrimobserver.ie. 15 January 2026.
- ^ "Crossmolina end 32 year wait for Mayo minor title". www.con-telegraph.ie. 31 August 2025.
- ^ "Mayo will enjoy Kobe McDonald for as long as they have him". GAA.ie. 25 February 2026.
- ^ "Mayo make it a triple after overcoming gutsy Roscommon". westernpeople.ie. 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Higgins names Mayo team ahead of Connacht U-20 Final". mayonews.ie. 28 April 2026.
- ^ Shalvey, Colm. "Kobe McDonald impresses for Mayo in emphatic win over Monaghan". The Irish Times.
- ^ "Kobe McDonald shines again as Mayo hold off Armagh fightback". RTÉ.ie.
- ^ "Allianz FL D1: Kerry cruise to victory". GAA.ie.
- ^ "Roscommon dismantle Mayo with second-half blitz". RTÉ.ie. 26 April 2026.
- ^ "Mayo hang on to deny epic Monaghan comeback". RTÉ.ie.
- ^ "Kobe McDonald joins AFL side St Kilda, Ben Murphy signs with Brisbane". RTÉ.ie. 3 November 2025.
External links
- Kobe McDonald's profile on the official website of the St Kilda Football Club
- Kobe McDonald at AustralianFootball.com