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Spring chickens: ten starlets who've turned heads in the National Football League

It's still early but there has seldom been such a surge of up and coming football talent across the country, emerging from the Sigerson Cup in some instances, and carrying that form into the inter-county sphere

Fri, 13 Mar, 2026 - 19:00

Maurice Brosnan

Kobe McDonald (Mayo).

The Crossmolina prospect went straight from the Connacht Schools ‘C’ final to a senior debut, coming on against Monaghan in Round 4 and scoring 1-4. That included a tricolour: a lovely clipped point, a sensational goal and a two-pointer. The 18-year-old AFL recruit impressed again when introduced against Armagh, scoring, winning kickouts and playing a part in Cian McHale’s goal. He will soon return to Keith Higgins’ setup for U20 commitments, but there are still plenty of opportunities for the son of Ciarán to remind the county/country of his immense quality.

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