Kobe McDonald's back: He strolls in with the hood up, bag in tow, like Mayo never happened
NO FUSS: Mayo starlet Kobe McDonald rocked up to Crossmolina training at quarter to eight. 'The lift he gave everyone was incredible', says manager Brian Benson. Pic: John Sheridan/Sportsfile
He arrived back with gifts in tow. Kobe McDonald turned up to Crossmolina training with a wide smile and a bag full of boots.
All of it was warmly received.
Crossmolina Deel Rovers manager Brian Benson knows the gifted talent well. He played with his father, Ciarán. His daughter went to the same school as him.
It meant it was easy to tease the 18-year-old when he opened his bag to reveal bright pink boots with Kobe inscribed on the side. That joking soon turned to admiration.
“He asked me, what size is Liam? He is our kitman who has been with me for the last six years and does so much for the lads. After training, he made a beeline for Liam with the boots and I got a photo of the presentation. That is the type of lad he is.”
The All-Ireland winner, who scored three points in the final as Mayo ended a 75-year wait, will represent his club in the upcoming Mayo SFC. They play Mayo Gaels in the final group game this weekend.
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“St Kilda were knocked out and there was a rumour he was flying home,” says Benson.
“I pulled into the filling station and met his mother. I said, great to see you. She was mad excited to be home. So then there was a bit of anticipation about whether he would train on Tuesday.
"At about a quarter to eight, he strolls in with the hood up, bag in tow, like Mayo never happened. As if he was coming from school after study.
“This was a horrible evening now. Rain coming down, dark and the lift he gave everyone was incredible. Players and management were buzzing when we saw him walking in.”
McDonald played senior football last year as the club reached the semi-final, where they were beaten by Westport in a thriller.
“I have said this numerous times. His talent is his talent, but his personality and character are just unbelievable. He comes in with a fist bump for everyone. There are no airs or graces about him. He trains with a smile on his face.”
Time with Crossmolina will cap a whirlwind season that saw him play for Mayo at senior and U20 level and fly to Melbourne to prepare for his life in professional sport. For Benson, his makeup was revealed during Mayo's Connacht championship loss to Roscommon. Despite the one-sided defeat, he managed to kick six points.
“When things are not going well, that is where we see Kobe really fly. Players trust him. He comes out looking for the ball and they give it to him. It is like he is saying: I want that responsibility. I will take it on. I thought Ryan played his best football partly because of that. He is the leader of those forwards, but Kobe can take some of it from him.
“That day against Roscommon, things were going pear-shaped for Mayo. But he was coming out, give me the ball. There was no shying away.”
It is clear what he means to the club. It is also clear what the club means to him. He said as much at the homecoming earlier this month when he took to the stage to address the crowd.
“Without all of you, without Crossmolina, there would be no Kobe McDonald,” he announced.
“Thank you.”
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