Why the GAA is losing its best young talent — And what they can do to fix it

Mayo’s loss is St. Kilda’s gain as Kobe heads down under. (Image: Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Tom Maher)

The looming departure of Kobe McDonald to AFL outfit St. Kilda has cast a shadow of doubt over the future of the sport’s brightest young stars and has raised questions of the GAA as to why this continues to happen. This isn’t, however, a new phenomenon. For over 40 years, the AFL has been a pathway for GAA talent to experience the professional sporting environment of Aussie Rules, but although it has caused a dent in the GAA talent pool, for a long time its effect was minimal in comparison to association football.

The possibilities presented by the English Football Leagues were often too big for the multidisciplinary stars of the Irish game to turn down, many of whom had the talent to thrive with the ball at their feet in Liverpool or Manchester, as they did with the ball in hand at Loughrea or Moycullen. Of course, anomalies such as Kevin Moran tried and succeeded at both, often at the same time, but the trip from Manchester to Dublin is slightly more actionable than the trip from St. Kilda, Melbourne to Knock — Assuming Kobe didn’t fancy the added bonus of a drive home from Dublin Airport to Crossmalina after the long haul flight.

Today however, presents a new challenge. Players continue to leave for England, but not in the droves like which we had become accustomed to over the last 15 or 20 years. The shift in our approach to holding onto these talents can be partly to thank, with many young players competing at intercounty underage levels encouraged to make their to commitment to one sport much earlier in their career than in years gone by.

Of course, ‘BREXIT’ has also had a major part to play, with young star power now continuing their development in the Irish leagues setup until their 18th birthday at the very earliest. These restraints have no doubt kept some young talent in the GAA system too, but unfortunately, no such restraints exist for AFL clubs down under.

Now, more than ever, the GAA faces the consequences of a lack of regulations in place to hold onto their players, as the Geelongs and St. Kilda’s of the world continue to find and attract young talent, often as early as minor level.

The problem has been under a magnifying glass in recent weeks and months, no more so than in Mayo, where a county ‘mourns the sporting loss’ of Kobe McDonald, the son of legend, Ciarán McDonald. His arranged move to St. Kilda has brought about enormous backlash from the GAA community, who struggle to comprehend just how we’ve managed to let another talent slip through our fingers. For the people of Mayo, the scars from Oisín Mullen’s exit to Geelong are still yet to heal, and Kobe’s departure only adds salt to the wounds.

The attractions for young players are obvious. The professional environment, fame, climate and of course, the healthy compensation for their services are often too much to consider turning down, but the GAA has to do more to at least attempt to convince players that their skills would be better applied in the homeland, than in the land down under. Here are a few to consider:

1. Restrictions on U23 Transfers

With players scouted and contracts signed by minor level, and at times leaving just after the Leaving Cert, many haven’t represented their county at senior level by the time they’ve headed to Oz. This is always one of the biggest disappointments to supporters that players who have succeeded at underage seem to treat that experience as little more than a training camp for AFL, as their talents are not put to use on the biggest stage.

Using the Kobe McDonald example, currently 18 years old, Mayo could enjoy up to 5 years of what already looks to be the makings of a generational talent, before the AFL could even be considered. Of course, the GAA can’t force anyone to stay and certainly can’t stop anyone from leaving, but the requirement of compensation for U23 players could certainly do a lot to hold onto talent for at least a little longer. Those who have benefitted from the underage intercounty development structures may demand higher fees as would those on the younger side of the rule, because of the evident potential they have displayed. If the same player has represented their county at senior level already, the fee continues to rise. While it’s hard to put a number on young amateur talents, trust the GAA to squeeze every cent possible out of the sales.

While this rule might not discourage player departures, it does give AFL teams something to think about and any income generated can be put to use in improving the structures in place designed to keep our top talent as well as rewarding, handsomely, the clubs who invested so much time and effort into the growth and nurturing of the players. Those who stay longer because of this rule, also earn the chance to gain more experience of the intercounty setup and may understand a little better, just what they stand to lose out on, if they choose a different path.

2. Grants / Scholarship Funding

It’s already being done at collegiate level — top young players are availing of free education and often accommodation, in return for their sporting services to the college, so why shouldn’t intercounty players do the same? Those involved at collegiate and intercounty level know that heavy restraints are placed on players, often so much so that a choice has to be made by the player in terms of where to focus their time for that sporting year.

For those who wish to represent the county, the structures should be in place to allow them to do this while continuing to avail of the free education that their skills have earned them. Granted, they’re not providing the college with much extra value, but they are of benefit to the intercounty team. Players’ education, in whatever form it presents itself, shouldn’t exist at the expense of their intercounty careers. We’re trying to incentivize young players to stay and a start would be by providing the necessary supports to facilitate both pursuits.

3. Return Restrictions

This option is one I believe the GAA should avoid at all costs. The goal should be to encourage players to stay and there is a possibility that the following could discourage players from returning. However it is still an option that could be considered. After all, if the carrot doesn’t work, the stick is there for a reason too.

Those who still believe the AFL to be a more appealing option, even in the short term, may reconsider their options if met with sanctions upon their return. Although it may seem harsh, moves such as mandatory waiting periods to return to intercounty setups, or club-only participation for periods are just another incentive to encourage players to reconsider their stance. The GAA must tread carefully however in their application, because as previously mentioned, overly harsh sanctions may discourage players from returning altogether and lead to an even bigger mess than before.

Similar return — to — play schemes have been seen elsewhere in the sporting stratosphere recently, like on the PGA Tour, as Brooks Koepka made his big comeback from LIV Golf and was hit with monstrous reparations upon his return. $5 million seems a little steep for this side of the Atlantic, but stranger things have happened, especially at GAA HQ…

These are just a taster of what the GAA could offer as potential solutions to what has become a bigger and bigger problem over the last few years. Looking for positives, an increased interest from AFL clubs does point to signs that the talent pool across the country is getting deeper and deeper with every season. Our ability to produce is unquestionable, but our ability to hold on to the fruits of the labour of club and intercounty setups is unsustainable.

Don’t let it be said that the young talent who find themselves in positions of interest from clubs abroad are selfish when compared to any of their club or county counterparts. At the time of writing, Kobe McDonald has just scored 1–4 from off the bench on his Mayo debut and is already providing more hope to Mayo fans than most forwards of the last 30 years. With ‘legacy’ inked on the tape on his wrists, its clear McDonald knows where he comes from, and who came before him.

The allure of the foreign game won’t go away, but we as an organisation must not let a lack of opportunities and resources at home, encourage our best and brightest to pursue other opportunities abroad. For now though, we enjoy the spark that Kobe brings to the League and quite possibly the Championship. St. Kilda have a gem on their hands.