‘These are the moments I will never get again’ - Kobe McDonald after Mayo win Sam
Having won his first All-Ireland title with Mayo just weeks after completing his Leaving Certificate, Kobe McDonald was letting it all sink in at Croke Park moments after the final whistle of the All-Ireland final.
“To be honest, I haven’t had enough time to put this into words. It’s a special feeling to give these amazing fans something to shout about after so long of a drought. We have had a tough year as a team but to get through it today was a very special feeling, to be honest,” he told GAA.ie.
It was put to Kobe that his brother Jordan said he had felt it was destiny that they would play together and win an All-Ireland.
Kobe agreed that it was a very special moment to lift Sam Maguire alongside his brother Jordan. “It was the best year of my life. The little things - driving with him to training, three days a week. They are moments I will never get again. That’s something I will hold with me for the rest of my days. It’s amazing,” he said.
Kobe’s relaxed demeanour was also noted by the GAA.ie interviewer despite being just 18 years of age, who asked was it just something he loves doing?
“I’ve loved football for my whole life. But that’s Andy [Moran] - he lets you go have fun and express yourself. And that’s why football is so enjoyable with him. I love it,” Kobe replied.
Looking forward to celebrating the All-Ireland win with his parents and family, the young forward said: “It’s going to be special to have a Sam Maguire medal at home and I can’t wait to see them and enjoy it with them”.
He also acknowledged the difficult losses endured by Mayo in past All-Ireland finals. “I have been a Mayo fan my whole life, and it’s been tough seeing all the losses. We have been on the wrong-end of close games… This win is for all those boys that soldiered for years and just didn’t get that ounce of luck. And for Andy [Moran] and Keith [Higgins], getting that win for them when they are involved. That’s something I will never be able to forget,” he said.
The burning question was would Mayo fans see Kobe in a Mayo jersey again as he is about to embark on career in the Australian Football League?
“The AFL has been so good to me but at the minute I’m not going to think about anything but this win. In a couple of weeks time we will have a debrief and a chat. At the minute now I’m just taking all this in and I am loving every minute of it,” the Crossmolina man said.