'The advice I would give him is go and see what it is like': Kyle Coney on Kobe McDonald's AFL ambitions

The hype around McDonald has only intensified since his latest substitute appearance, but he could be off Down Under before he's even made his name at home

Fri, 06 Mar, 2026 - 06:35

Maurice Brosnan

When Kobe McDonald made his eagerly anticipated debut for Mayo, few could empathise with his impending departure for the AFL quite like Kyle Coney. He knew the pull of two worlds. He had lived it.

Coney was on radio duty in Clones as Mayo cruised past Monaghan two weeks ago. The former Tyrone footballer knew the feeling.

In 2008, the Ardboe native signed a two-year contract with Sydney Swans. He was due to leave for Australia once the championship came to an end.

Tyrone won an All-Ireland minor that year, beating a Mayo side that included Robbie Hennelly and Aidan O’Shea.

Coney kicked 0-5 and was Man of the Match in the decider. At that stage, his AFL deal had already been announced. Everyone knew an up-and-coming prospect would soon head Down Under.

“It did bring back a few memories whenever I was covering the game for the radio,” says Coney.

“Whenever he came on, there was a huge roar and all from the fans. Not a huge expectation, but just joyfulness to see him come on.

“I had a similar scenario when I was 18. I had my contract signed in the early part of the minor season. I had it signed early that year. I knew I was going whenever the season finished. Lucky enough, that was after the All-Ireland final.”

The hype around McDonald has only intensified since his latest substitute appearance. He came on to score 0-2 and help create Cian McHale’s goal in their narrow win over Armagh last Sunday.

Afterwards, Mayo manager Andy Moran was asked about suggestions McDonald might not depart for St Kilda later this year.

“DB (David Brady),” said Moran, identifying who had proclaimed that possibility. He went out to point to Cian and Pearce Hanley: “Cian came home and Pearce stayed there forever. You just don’t know.

“But you have to put the things in place that would make it attractive to them if they want to come home. That is all we will do with Kobe. We will absolutely shake that man’s hand when he is going out the door and wish him all the best.”

Handling the hype is now a delicate balancing act for the new Mayo manager and his teenage sensation. What would Coney’s advice be? After all, he left in November for pre-season and opted not to return after the Christmas break.

“Someone asked me this earlier in the week, I was a bit luckier. There was no real social media; it was only kicking off at that stage. Social media is at its height now. When I was younger, I didn’t feel any of that pressure. It might be a wee bit different for him.

“He is flung into a Mayo team who are in a bit of transition, he scored 1-4 in his first game, people might perceive him to be the saviour. Look, I see a lot of chat. Should he go or should he not go? If that fella has that expectation, he is better off going and seeing for himself. You can't live for what ifs and what should I do. The GAA will be here if he comes back. The GAA will always be here. Crossmolina will always be here. Mayo will always be here.

"That is the advice I would give him. Go and see what it is like. Make up your own mind rather than someone trying to make up your mind for you.”

As for Moran’s Mayo, they are currently the highest-scoring team in Division 1. This front-foot, high-pressing approach has been a hallmark so far, but Coney expects them to tailor it as championship approaches.

“It is the million-dollar question. That is how Kobe McDonald actually got his goal, a high press that turned Monagan over outside their 45. Look, I think having someone like Paddy Tally there. Andy has been around the block now with Leitrim and Monaghan. There are horses for courses. There are going to be times in games, you can’t go out and go high press for 70 minutes.

“I think there is going to be times when you recognise the tails up and you go after someone. You sense you are with the breeze and have to push up. It is about finding that balance.

“I don’t think Mayo will be under the illusion that they can go 70 minutes gung-ho. That is a wee bit unrealistic. But there are going to be opportunities and they have the team. I’m impressed with the legs they have all over the pitch. There will be times they can really go after teams and get joy out of it.”