Lee Keegan weighs in on prospect of Kobe starting for Mayo in Championship

Mayo GAA legend Lee Keegan has singled out rising sensation Kobe McDonald for special praise following his debut for the Green and Red last weekend.

The talented teenager made headlines last Sunday as he put in a spell-binding display as Andy Moran's men put Monaghan to the sword in Clones, kicking 1-4 and assisting another score with only six touches.

The hype train has been gaining momentum ever since, and five-time All-Star Keegan has offered his perspective on the explosive start for the youngster.

For him, and the wider Mayo public, this is 'nothing we haven't seen before'.

The iconic half-back harked back to 2020, when Covid-19 restrictions were in place, and the inter-county side were forced to train in regional pods. At the time, then-coach Ciaran McDonald brought a fresh-faced Kobe to training at the age of 13.

"Even back then, his kicking ability was incredible," Keegan reminisced in his RTÉ column. "It was obviously reminiscent of the father, even if Kobe is a right-footer, while Ciaran was left-sided."

Flash forward to 2025, and the Westport wizard would come up against a still fresh-faced McDonald in his first year playing adult football in the maroon of Crossmolina Deel Rovers.

The Clew Bay contingent put Crossmolina to the sword after an epic semi-final which went all the way to extra-time that day, but Keegan couldn't help but marvel at the showing of the Crossmolina star.

"When you're in the middle of a game, you would rarely take the time to stand and admire an opposition player in full flow - nor would it be encouraged.

"But it was hard not to be mesmerised that evening.

"It's rare you see a 17-year-old stroking over long-range points with such ease, catching balls over people's heads, landing 55-metre frees with 10 yards to spare."

Kobe fever has well and truly taken hold of the GAA community.

There are three more games left in the regular season before minds in the county inevitably turn to knocking Galway off their perch in Connacht.

Keegan, having brought the Nestor Cup back to Mayo seven times across his glittering career, is well-positioned to comment on the trials and tribulations of the provincial scene.

In his view, there is every chance we could see McDonald in the starting side for the Connacht series, which starts with a trip to Ruislip to take on London.

"There was great joie de vivre about him, and he made sure to celebrate his goal," the inter-county legend quipped.

"It was certainly a good situation to come into, with the game already won against a beaten docket Monaghan side who'd been run ragged.

"It'll be a different test this weekend if he was to start. Which wouldn't surprise me.

"Such is his quality, I think it's more than likely that he'll have a starting place come Championship.