What a day for the people of Mayo. The famine is over and Sam is on the way back out west.

It was a stunning performance from Andy Moran’s side on the day, thoroughly deserving the victory over Kerry.

There were no shortage of standout displays on the day, with many of them coming from teenagers in the Mayo team. Darragh Beirne scored the game’s crucial goal, while Kobe McDonald was outstanding once again in what could be his final game at inter-county level.

The Crossmolina man is due to join AFL side St Kilda later this year, but he will go Down Under with a Celtic cross in his back pocket.

Kobe McDonald stars in Mayo All-Ireland win

Kobe McDonald was not fazed by the occasion this afternoon, playing like someone with far more experience than his 18 years.

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His maturity was also on show after the game.

Speaking to RTÉ, McDonald was asked about his emotions after getting his hands on the Sam Maguire. He also handled Peter Canavan’s question about his upcoming move to Australia like the ultimate pro.

“I’m not thinking about Australia; I’m just going to soak all this in.

All-Ireland champion Kobe McDonald joins the panel.

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— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 26, 2026

To be honest with you it’s impossible to put into words.

We’ve had a tough year. A lot of the country probably wrote us off after that tough day against Roscommon.

Andy [Moran] is so big on trusting our process. We said at the start of the year our goal was to climb the Hogan steps. It’s so surreal that we’re just after doing that…

It’s very easy when every single player and every single coach gives you the licence to express yourself and enjoy yourself. When you’re playing in front of 80,000 it’s hard not to have a bit of fun…

Look I’m not thinking about Australia right now. I’m just going to soak every bit of this in.

This is where I come from. To give the people of Mayo something to cheer about is special…

Every team probably says it, but we’re like a family. When we come into training three days a week it’s like 40 brothers. We know every single person in there has each other’s back, so what people are saying outside the group doesn’t affect us.

A very impressive young lad.

What next for Mayo teenager Kobe McDonald?

Mayo would love to have Kobe McDonald in a green and red jersey for the next two decades, but it remains to be seen when (or if) we will see him line out for the county again.

McDonald is one of the biggest talents we have seen in the GAA in quite some time and it will be huge pity not to see him line out for Mayo in 2027. Of course, nobody knows what the future may hold for him in terms of his sporting ambitions.

For now, he will enjoy the celebrations that are to come over the coming days.