ST KILDA will allow all three of its Irishmen to play Gaelic Football during the off-season, including new Category B rookie Kobe McDonald. 

McDonald spent time at RSEA Park in August preparing for his first season in the AFL, after helping County Mayo end a 75-year drought in the All-Ireland final against Kerry in July.

The 18-year-old returned home last week and will play for his local side Crossmolina Deel Rovers in Mayo, before reporting back for pre-season in Melbourne ahead of day one in November. 

Liam O'Connell and Eamonn Armstrong will also play up to a handful of games of Gaelic Football back home in Ireland during the break. 

O'Connell played 13 games for Ross Lyon this year and is now up to 20 AFL games.

The 23-year-old will represent Ballincollig again after he was allowed to play in the Cork championship last year during the off-season.

Armstrong has played 16 VFL games this year after four late in 2025 after arriving and will play for his local team in Meath.

St Kilda GM Lenny Hayes said the trio have the club's blessing to play during the break and will return ahead of the start of pre-season in November.

"Kobe, Eamonn and Liam have each expressed a desire to represent their local Gaelic football sides during the AFL off-season," Hayes said in a statement provided to AFL.com.au.

"As a club, it's really important that we support our players in their lives outside of being professional AFL footballers.

"We understand how much home means to each of these boys, and we didn't want to stand in the way of this opportunity to represent the communities and clubs they come from.

"The opportunity to play should only benefit their aerobic conditioning, and we look forward to welcoming them back in November for the first day of pre-season."