McDonald played hurling at all levels as a student at St Kieran's College in Kilkenny.
[2] McDonald later progressed to the St Kieran's senior hurling team.
He won a Kilkenny IHC title in 2023, following a 1–29 to 0–17 defeat of Mooncoin in the final.
[6] He also added a Kilkenny SHC medal to his collection in 2024, following a defeat of O'Loughlin Gaels.
[9] McDonald subsequently progressed to the under-20 team and was at wing-forward when Kilkenny beat Limerick in the 2022 All-Ireland under-20 final.