Horan: ‘We have more videos and talk and chat rooms about a guy who is just 17’

The Leaving Cert student won’t turn 18 until the end of the year. His father is Mayo legend Ciarán McDonald. Speaking on the Irish Examiner’s Gaelic football podcast for subscribers, former Mayo player and manager James Horan said Saturday’s game featured a number of exciting prospects.

“The Crossmolina and Westport game, there are a lot of very good young players on both teams,” he said.

“To me, they will become a lot of Mayo players if they keep developing the way they are. You mention Kobe. Kobe is a great player, but there are five or six other players on that Crossmolina team that I think are very good. They are balanced, level-headed guys with a good skill level and great decision-makers. They are a good bunch of lads. It is exciting and that is why you had big crowds at those games.”

Horan urged supporters to keep perspective.

“Kobe is getting attention because of ‘Pops’, but there is a number of lads there that will be very strong.

“I’m not trying to water it down, but down our way, we go absolutely stir crazy. We have more videos and talk and chat rooms about a guy who is just 17. I’m really conscious of that. I know Ciarán well, I’m good friends with his dad, who is a very balanced guy and knows what is right. I think it is really important that those lads just grow and develop, keep enjoying their football.”

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