By Mayo finally ended one of the longest waits in Gaelic football history on Sunday, July 26, 2026, defeating Kerry 1-20 to 1-17 in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final at Croke Park. For young forward Kobe McDonald, the historic victory was even more special because it came during a breakthrough season in his first year at senior inter-county level.
Yet, moments after helping Mayo lift the Sam Maguire Cup, McDonald was asked about something that could take him away from the county: his planned move to Australia and the AFL. His answer showed exactly where his mind was after Mayo’s remarkable triumph.
Kobe McDonald’s Australia Question After Mayo’s Historic Win
McDonald has been one of the most exciting young players in the Mayo GAA setup during 2026. His performances have attracted attention beyond Gaelic football, with Australian rules football club St Kilda having signed him as a Category B rookie.
That move is expected to see the teenager begin a new chapter in Australia later this year. However, immediately after Mayo’s All-Ireland final victory, Australia was not at the front of McDonald’s mind.
When asked about his upcoming move, McDonald made it clear that he wanted to stay in the moment and enjoy what Mayo had achieved.
Rather than looking ahead to his AFL career, the young Mayo star wanted to celebrate with his teammates after an extraordinary day for the county.
That response was understandable. Mayo had just achieved something generations of supporters had waited decades to see.
Mayo End 75-Year All-Ireland Wait
The Mayo All-Ireland final win was the biggest story of the weekend in Irish sport.
Mayo entered the final against Kerry as underdogs, but Andy Moran’s side produced a disciplined and confident performance to win 1-20 to 1-17. The result ended Mayo’s 75-year wait for an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship title.
Their previous championship success had come in 1951. Since then, Mayo had endured a long series of painful defeats and near misses, including several All-Ireland final losses.
The latest victory therefore carried huge emotional weight for players, families and supporters across the county.
Mayo’s win was also significant because Kerry were chasing another major championship success and were widely expected to be difficult to overcome. Instead, Mayo held their nerve and produced the performance required on the biggest stage.
Kobe McDonald Plays Key Role in Mayo Success
For McDonald, the 2026 campaign has been a remarkable rise.
The young forward made his Mayo senior debut earlier in the year and quickly showed why there was so much excitement around his potential. His pace, confidence and scoring ability have made him an important part of Mayo’s attack.
In the All-Ireland final, McDonald contributed crucial scores as Mayo’s forward line continued to create problems for Kerry. Reports noted that McDonald, Ryan O’Donoghue and Darragh Beirne combined for 11 points between them, underlining the attacking threat Mayo carried into the final.
For a player so early in his senior career, performing in an All-Ireland final is already a major achievement. Doing so while helping Mayo end a 75-year drought makes the moment even more remarkable.
McDonald’s rise has also attracted wider attention because of his planned transition from Gaelic football to the AFL.
Why Is Kobe McDonald Moving to Australia?
McDonald has already agreed to join St Kilda, giving him the opportunity to pursue a professional career in Australian rules football.
His move represents an increasingly common pathway for talented young Gaelic footballers. The AFL has continued to recruit Irish players because of the athletic qualities that Gaelic football develops, including speed, endurance, kicking skills and awareness in open space.
McDonald’s athletic profile makes him an interesting prospect for the Australian game. Standing at around 6ft 4in, he has the physical tools to adapt to the demands of AFL. His experience as a forward in Gaelic football also provides a useful foundation for his next sporting challenge.
However, the timing of his departure makes Sunday’s victory especially meaningful.
Before travelling to Australia, McDonald has now helped Mayo achieve something that many supporters feared they might never see: another All-Ireland title.
A Special Moment for the McDonald Family
There is also a strong football connection behind Kobe McDonald’s success.
His father, Ciarán McDonald, was one of Mayo’s outstanding Gaelic footballers and represented the county at senior level. Ciarán played in three All-Ireland finals and won an All Star award during his career.
He also represented Ireland in the International Rules series against Australia in 2005.
That makes Kobe’s future move to Australian football particularly interesting. His father experienced the international side of Gaelic football against Australia, while his son is now preparing to build a professional career in the AFL.
For the younger McDonald, however, the immediate priority was not Australia, contracts or the next stage of his career.
It was Mayo.
McDonald Wants to “Soak In” the Achievement
The most memorable part of McDonald’s post-match reaction was his desire to simply enjoy the moment.
After such a demanding championship campaign, the 19-year-old had every reason to celebrate with his teammates. The attention surrounding his move to Australia could wait.
His response also reflected the wider mood inside the Mayo camp. Players and supporters had spent years dealing with disappointment, expectations and questions about whether Mayo could finally win the Sam Maguire Cup.
Now they had their answer.
Mayo were All-Ireland champions.
McDonald’s comments showed that the significance of the achievement had not been lost on him. Rather than immediately focusing on his next destination, he wanted to experience the celebrations alongside the teammates who had shared the journey.
What Comes Next for Kobe McDonald?
The immediate future is likely to be filled with celebrations for McDonald and the Mayo squad. The county’s historic achievement deserves time to sink in.
After that, attention will gradually turn toward Australia.
McDonald’s move to St Kilda could give him the chance to develop into a professional AFL player while carrying valuable Gaelic football experience with him. His transition will be closely watched in both Ireland and Australia.
For now, though, his story is still firmly connected to Mayo.
He has gone from a promising young player to an All-Ireland champion in his debut senior season, helping deliver a title that supporters have waited 75 years to celebrate.
That is why his response to the Australia question felt so fitting. There will be time for a new life in Australia. There will be time for AFL training, a new club and a new sporting challenge.
But after Mayo’s historic All-Ireland final win, Kobe McDonald simply wanted to enjoy the moment.
And after 75 years of waiting, Mayo supporters could hardly blame him
