AFL club St Kilda make a move for Meath U20 star Armstrong

Eamonn Armstrong of Meath floors Tadhg McDonnell of Louth during the EirGrid Leinster GAA Football U20 Championship Final. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

AFL outfit St Kilda have announced the signing of Meath prospect Eamonn Armstrong. The 18-year-old will join as a Category B Rookie.

The wing-back was Man of the Match in the Leinster U20 final as Meath bridged a 23-year gap earlier this year. Armstrong will become the second Irish player at the club, joining Cork’s Liam O’Connell.

“We’re very pleased to welcome Eamonn and his family to the club,” said Executive General Manager of Football David Misson.

“As a club, we’re committed to exploring every avenue available when it comes to making ourselves better, whether that’s through talent pathways here or through scouting cross-code, international athletes.” The Duleek/Bellewstown clubman will not make the move until he finishes his Leaving Cert next June.

“We’re really supportive of Eamonn’s decision to finish school and join us in a few months,” said Misson.

“We clearly see great potential in him and wanted to make sure he had the comfort of knowing he’d secured a place on our list in the meantime to allow him to concentrate on his studies.

“We look forward to making Eamonn welcome at RSEA Park next year.” Armstrong was named U20 Leinster Player of the Year for 2024. St Kilda also have an Irish woman in their AFLW squad, Mayo’s Grace Kelly.

“I couldn’t be more excited to embrace this opportunity and all of the experiences it will bring,” Armstrong said.

“The club has been terrific in really making my family and I feel comfortable with this process.

“I know I have a lot to learn, but I can’t wait to get stuck in and really give it my all.” 

He will become the 13th Irish player on a list for 2025.

Irish in the AFL 2025: Oisin Mullin (Geelong), Cillian Burke (Geelong), Mark O’Connor (Geelong). Conor Nash (Hawthorn), Rob Monahan (Carlton), Matt Duffy (Carlton), Liam O’Connell (St Kilda), Eamonn Armstrong (St Kilda), Callum Brown (GWS Giants), Darragh Joyce (Brisbane), Conor McKenna (Brisbane), Mark Keane (Adelaide), Karl Gallagher (Adelaide).