The joy of victory and pain of defeat are the opposite ends of the sporting spectrum and on Saturday, it was Crossmolina who bid farewell to this year’s county championship and, for now, to McDonald.
As the teenager made a break for the dressing room with young fans in hot pursuit in the wake of what was an emotional evening, it felt like the end of an era, however short.
Deel Rovers chair Lavelle reflected on a “bittersweet” night as McDonald’s time in maroon and white came to an end.
While Crossmolina will “go home and lick our wounds”, they will regroup for 2027 and whether that will involve McDonald for a part of next term remains to be seen, but “we’ll take him any time, whether it is a training session or championship game”.
“It’s a huge loss to Crossmolina, huge loss to Mayo and a huge loss to the GAA,” Lavelle reflected.
“We’ve seen him light up Croke Park, light up MacHale Park and his attitude to football is role model stuff.
“It’s bittersweet but when we heard about it [move to St Kilda], we wished him every success and we aren’t going to stand in his way.
“It’s great to have it in your locker you were able to produce someone of that calibre in Crossmolina and for a club of our size to get that recognition is great. We’ll wish him the best of luck as he is a great lad.”
