Mayo’s Kobe McDonald and his partner Leah Maheady are preparing for a huge new chapter as he gets ready to swap Ireland for Australia, but it’s not all going to be about football.
Kobe and Leah made their way to Dublin this week for the PWC All Stars, where the couple spoke to EVOKE about their relationship and what lies ahead for both of them.
And while football will be his main focus in the land Down Under, Kobe has already found another way to keep himself busy during his downtime.
Mayo footballer Kobe McDonald and Leah Maheady at the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Yes, then Mayo man has admitted that he has picked up another sport…Golf, but knows he is not exactly Rory McIlroy…just yet.
Joking about his skills, he said a round of golf takes him ‘about six’ hours, and he believes he’s ‘so bad at it’ that it will be the perfect way to concentrate on something else other than Aussie Rules.
As for Leah, she won’t be heading over until next summer as she has to finish college, where the couple will absorb everything about their new home.
Kobe McDonald of Mayo celebrates with his girlfriend Leah Maheady after the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Kerry and Mayo at Croke Park in Dublin. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Despite their excitement, the couple admitted there will be plenty of things they will miss while living abroad.
‘There are the difficulties of flying 21 hours away, being away from all your friends and family,’ but he knows the opportunity to become a professional athlete is just something he couldn’t pass up.
Leah Maheady, Kobe McDonald, Jessie Brown, Jordan Flynn, and a restaurant worker. Pic: The Fox and Hounds Restaurant, Salou
For now though, while they both have their feet in Ireland, Kobe is looking forward to spending as much time with his loved ones.
With Leah by his side, he said, ‘To be able to share the moment with my family and my partner Leah, it’s one of the special nights in my life for sure!’
For more shots from the All-Stars 2026, check out our gallery below:
Kerry footballer Jason Foley and Katie Ahern at the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Westmeath footballer Matthew Whittaker and Leah Duffy at the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Limerick hurler William O’Donoghue and Gemma O’Donoghue at the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Cork hurler Sean O’Donoghue and Aoife Daly at the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Dublin footballer Ciaran Kilkenny and Rebekah Garvey at the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Kerry footballer Shane Murphy and Aimee Murphy at the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Limerick hurler Peter Casey and Michaela Arthur at the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Dublin hurler Donal Burke and Niamh Kelly, Dublin hurler Paddy Smyth and Aoife Breslin and Dublin hurler Brian Hayes and Evie Lehane . Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile