Kobe McDonald was this week enlisted by St Kilda to play a special welcoming role to fellow Mayo native Saoirse Lally.
McDonald arrived at the Melbourne-based AFL club earlier this month, after playing an influential role in delivering Mayo’s first All-Ireland crown in 75 years.
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The teenager’s absence from the Mayo setup will no doubt be lamented by the Westerners in years to come, but McDonald’s move to Melbourne is undoubtedly an exciting one.
The trend of Gaelic footballers making the move down under is one that has grown and grown in recent years, with the GAA reportedly exploring options to limit the exodus to Australia.
It’s certainly hard to think that any previous transfer has captured the public attention quite like Kobe’s, with the Mayo man’s youth, All-Ireland-winning prestige, and cult hero father.
McDonald does, though, have plenty of compatriots at St Kilda, and this week was enlisted to welcome one to the club’s first team.
Mayo woman to make St Kilda debut
Mayo’s Saoirse Lally is set to make her AFLW debut for St Kilda this weekend when they take on the Geelong Cats.
The former Mayo captain made a surprising move down under earlier this year, ultimately being drafted by St Kilda just 15 weeks ago.
She will make her first AFLW appearance against Geelong on Saturday, and Kobe McDonald was involved in the announcement.
McDonald is one of three Irishmen in the club’s men’s team, alongside Liam O’Connell and Eamonn Armstrong.
The three, along with Lally, were filming snippets for the club’s social media channels earlier this week, when they revealed to the Mayo woman that she would be making her debut this weekend.
St Kilda’s social media team caught the moment on camera.
It’s a heartwarming moment, and was followed by Lally being surprised by her overjoyed teammates.
The idea to enlist the services of the rest of St Kilda’s Irish contingent was a nice touch, and Lally and Kobe McDonald shared an embrace as Kobe wore the white Mayo kit he wore in last month’s All-Ireland final.
Lally spoke to St Kilda’s website this week, and said the involvement of McDonald and co had made the moment even more special.
I was honestly so shocked when I found out. Liam, Eamonn and Kobe broke the news to me and at first I didn’t even realise they were talking about me.
I can’t wait to run out there with the girls this weekend.
Everyone at the club has been so supportive since I arrived and has put so much time into helping me learn the game. I’m just really grateful to everyone who’s helped me get to this point.
Mayo’s Saoirse Lally will feature when St Kilda face Geelong at 8am Irish time on Saturday.