Sean Armstrong | Niall Bogue | Paddy Bradley | Kevin Cassidy
Colm Cooper | Shane Curran | Brian Dooher | Mattie Forde | Thomas Freeman
Raymond Gallagher | Paul Galvin | Oisin McConville | Ciaran McDonald
Stephen McDonnell | Michael Meehan | Conor Mortimer | Eoin Mulligan
Ross Munnelly | Stephen O'Neill | Tomas Ó Sé | Darragh Ó Sé
Colm Parkinson | Ciaran Whelan

After an 18 month absence, Kieran McDonald returned to the Mayo fold this year
to devastating effect. Yes! The Crossmolina star was back with a bang and has been an influential figure in Mayo’s journey to Croker in this year’s championship. His excellent distribution of the ball with his trusty left foot has been a highlight of
his game, leaving opposing teams baffled and has led to many crucial scores
along the way.

He didn't travel to the US in May for the facile victory over New York, but looked
right at home at half-forward in an attack that hit 18 points against Galway in the Connacht semi-final. They won their first Connacht title in five years and exceeded all expectations with a resounding victory over Tyrone at the quarter-final stage. A titanic battle against Fermanagh was yet to come but with McDonald leading from the front this Mayo team sure mean business and are a real team unit with manager John Maughan in charge. After the bitter disappointments that Mayo's senior footballers experienced in the late 1990s, the mighty McDonald is intent on bringing the Sam Maguire Cup back to Mayo at last.

What has been your greatest moment in sport?
Winning the All-Ireland Club final with Crossmolina in 2001 was probably my best moment in sport.

Which is the toughest team you have ever faced?
There are a lot of tough clubs in club football especially Nemo Rangers.
On the county scene it is between Tyrone and Fermanagh as they are both seriously fit and hungry teams.

Who was the toughest opponent you have ever faced?
David Heaney of Swinford and Mayo.

Any childhood heroes?
Mickey Sheehy of Kerry and Mickey Linden of Down and later in life, Maurice Fitzgerald of Kerry, who was just brilliant.

Do you play any other sports?
I enjoy soccer and basketball.

Do you have any superstitions?
Every footballer has a few and most of them they keep to themselves. But mine is that I always tie my right boot first and always lace it the same way.

What are your hopes for the future?
My main hope at the moment is to win the All-Ireland football championship with this up and coming Mayo team.

What advice would you give to young players?
The best advice I can give to young players is to enjoy playing and express yourself in every game.

Back to Top