Gaelic football supporters in Mayo are still coming to terms with the news that Kobe McDonald has decided to transfer to Australia.

It was early on Monday morning, Irish time, when Australian Football League (AFL) club St Kilda posted the news of McDonald signing with the Melbourne based team. 

Kobe McDonald, son of Mayo legend Ciarán, made his debut for his club Crossmolina Deel Rovers only in April this year in a league win over Ballintubber.

Since then, Kobe has made waves by letting his actions speak on the pitch.

The then 17-year-old was a crucial piece in a ferociously playing Crossmolina team that stormed into the Mayo GAA Senior Football Semi-Final, demolishing reigning champions Ballina Stephenites along the way.

They found their master in Westport at the semi-final stage.

McDonald's contribution had the Crossmolina fans dreaming, but after a thrilling tussle stretching into extra-time, the current All-Ireland Intermediate champions bowed out.

'He will be back'

Now, the internet is reacting to Kobe's leaving for Australia. He'll be joining St Kilda Football Club after doing his Leaving Cert next year.

'Best of luck, Kobe, enjoy every moment' is a comment that encapsulates the feeling of most people commenting on the issue.

'He will be back,' writes one user, defiantly, shining a light on the hopes of many that McDonald might find his way back at some stage during his career.

'Get over it move on' comments another one, reflecting a mood that quite few will relate to.

Someone else floated an idea that some might find intriguing: 'Let him do what Cora Staunton did: fly back for crucial games.'

One person on X was brutally honest and showed humour: 'Simply because I want Kobe in the ❤️ of Mayo I want him to be disgusted with the atrocious weather in Australia. How the hell can a man survive without some rain.'

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A Facebook user pointed out, there are many other players that don't get that much attention:

'I've said it before that while I understand the upset of losing good players. Loads of good players emigrate each year, go round the world travelling with girlfriends, get financial jobs in Singapore, teaching in Dubai, take over family businesses, work on oil rigs etc, and one way or another are not available to GAA.'