Irish AFL futures in focus as several players await new deals

St Kilda recruit Kobe McDonald. Pic: St.Kilda

The AFL regular season concluded last weekend with several Irish players yet to agree deals for 2027.

St Kilda prospects Liam O’Connell (Cork) and Eamonn Armstrong (Meath), as well as Carlton’s Rob Monahan (Kerry) are all reportedly out of contract this year.

Longford’s Matt Duffy has already confirmed he will leave Carlton to return to Ireland after three years Down Under. The 22-year-old did not play an AFL game, but played 27 games in the VFL.

O’Connell, who was a midfielder on the Cork U20 team that lost to Kerry in the 2023 Munster U20 final, has played 13 games for the Saints. They finished 11th, outside of a place in the finals.

Brisbane duo Conor McKenna and Darragh Joyce are also out of contract in 2026. They secured third spot on the ladder and a qualifying final against Sydney after a comprehensive 63-point victory over Collingwood. Conor McKenna enjoyed one of the best games of his career as he kicked four goals including a Goal of the Year contender.

The former All-Ireland winner intercepted a pass and slotted it in off the ground from a difficult angle.

“What is the prize for Goal of the Year? I reckon he has won it,” said Brisbane coach Chris Fagan in his post-match press conference. “Conor I’m calling it now. Not that I get to make the call. It’s like frequent flyer points or something, isn’t it? He will be able to go back and forth to Ireland non-stop over the summer.

“It was a great goal. Deliberately done. He has got that skill with his foot. It was good to see him come up with four goals because he has played a pretty important role for us this year as a defensive forward. To see him kick four goals and light the stadium up like he did was great to see.” Kilkenny’s Joyce was involved for their VFL side last weekend as they hammered Gold Coast by 103 points. Former Kerry U20 star Ben Murphy also played and scored two goals.

Meanwhile, Mayo All-Ireland winner Kobe McDonald made a surprise appearance at home last weekend to watch the intermediate meeting of Lahardane MacHales and Louisburgh. It has fuelled speculation that McDonald, who flew to Melbourne after the victory over Kerry last month, will feature for his club Crossmolina in the closing stages of the championship.

More Irish talent may join McDonald in Australia next season. Last week, Richmond held a combine in Athlone to have a closer look at several players, including Dublin’s Charlie McMorrow and Leitrim’s Barry McNulty. It is understood several clubs are planning similar events in the coming months.