Five AFL clubs circle Dublin minor star as Kobe McDonald heads for Australia

Kobe McDonald is expected to attend his new club St Kilda’s AFL clash against Carlton on Sunday. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Kobe McDonald will arrive in Australia on Thursday as AFL clubs begin to hover around Dublin teenage star Cian Raftery.

Fresh from contributing to Mayo’s historic All-Ireland SFC win last Sunday, Crossmolina’s McDonald is expected to attend his new club St Kilda’s AFL clash against Carlton in Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

McDonald and members of his family have been enjoying a few days out of the country before the 18-year-old heads Down Under to begin his three-year contract with St Kilda.

The news from Australia comes as AFL clubs are expressing significant interest in Dublin minor footballer Raftery. St Kilda, Sydney Swans, Melbourne Demons, Brisbane Lions and new franchise Tasmania Devils are reported to be pursuing the Whitehall Colmcille footballer.

Raftery turned 16 this year and was called up to county minors, scoring 2-20 in the three group games against Offaly, Westmeath and Longford. He missed the semi-final defeat to Meath through injury.

Another AFL club, Richmond Tigers, are set to arrive in Ireland later this month with the aim of signing a category B rookie like McDonald. The club’s recruiting manager Rhy Gieschen will travel here to oversee a combine and training session with around 20 potential prospects.

McDonald will be joined by his parents Ciarán and Karen as he settles into his new life in Melbourne. He will spend the remainder of the year in Australia before returning for his brother Jordan’s wedding in December.

The GAA are currently in talks with the AFL about formalising how clubs approach Gaelic footballers. They are keen to see a cap put on the number of players that can be recruited per county.

It is understood the future of the International Rules, which the AFL are keen to see resurrected, is contingent on the discussions coming to an agreeable conclusion. The previous series took place in 2017.