'Phenomenal talent' Kobe leaves for Australia August 05, 2026Kobe McDonald celebrates after Mayo's All-Ireland SFC semi-final win against Louth ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Kobe McDonald celebrates after Mayo's All-Ireland SFC semi-final win against Louth ©INPHO/Laszlo GeczoKobe McDonald has left Mayo’s All-Ireland football celebrations behind him to begin a new professional sporting career in the AFL. The teenage sensation is due to arrive in Australia tomorrow to commence his three-year contract with St Kilda. Wishing the 18-year-old well, his club Crossmolina posted on social media: “Best of luck to our own Kobe McDonald as he heads to Australia to begin an exciting new chapter with St Kilda. “I’m a massive fan of his, I think he’s a phenomenal talent,” the recently-retired Dublin great told reporters at the Aviva Stadium yesterday. He’s like a gazelle the way he runs around and he has so much confidence in himself, he’s a great player.