Pieces fall into place for Eamonn Armstrong as AFL clubs tweak Irish recruitment

“I’ll play with the Meath 20s all the way through; I’ll get the Leaving Cert done and the club will be generous enough to give me a few weeks after that before I go out in early to mid-July. 

"It depends on how the club go then, if they make finals I’ll be there until the end of September. Then I go home and back out for my full preseason ahead of 2026.” 

How Irish players make their way to AFL clubs is constantly evolving. For years, the AFL ran a centralised recruitment process with potential signings invited to training camps in Dublin. Their background and performances are then shared with coaches in Australia.

Last December, it was reported that funding for those camps would be ceased. That call was reversed a number of months later. Over the past two years, six different prospects have travelled to Australia to take part in the AFL combine alongside Australian talent. Some of them have impressed in that series of physical assessments. Other results were mixed. None of the six have been signed so far.

Other sides rely on their own network. Hawthorn and Geelong famously have their own pathway and presence in Ireland. Now others are looking to develop a similar system.

Earlier this year, Carlton launched a €250,000 per year academy investment that included considerable Irish recruitment. Club boss Nick Austen, national recruiting manager Mick Agresta, AFLW boss Ash Naulty and football director and club legend Greg Williams all made the trip to meet players. Roscommon’s Daire Cregg and Kerry’s Charlie Keating attracted significant interest.

Armstrong is the second Irish player to join St Kilda in 12 months, joining Cork’s Liam O’Connell. The club have their own European presence as well. As part of the process, Armstrong was invited to visit Melbourne and tour their facilities. When he makes the move next July, he will be 19. In the meantime, they will make all of their resources and training plans available to him.

“St Kilda were very accommodating,” Armstrong said. “Even what they offered my family, I can get flights for siblings and family to come out. They were willing to do anything for myself and my family. When I went over in October, just the way they treated people, I felt it was the right fit.” 

Player welfare is a vital piece. Education is an increasing area of concern for Irish recruits. St Kilda Executive General Manager David Misson made it clear they were completely supportive of Armstrong finishing out secondary school. Meath’s most recent AFL recruit, Cian McBride, had looked to continue his college education in Melbourne during his career with Essendon but was quoted astronomical international student fees.

Red Óg Murphy of Sligo joined North Melbourne in 2018 with the intention of finishing out his education. The club were unable to deliver on that promise. He left the sport a year later and returned to finish his Leaving Cert.

Armstrong already knows he can rely on fellow Irish stars currently thriving in the game. The Duleek-Bellewstown native met with county man and Hawthorn mid Conor Nash as part of his preparation. 

The talented athlete has all the attributes to make it Down Under. He was a gifted soccer player and represented the Republic of Ireland underage. He was a star of Meath’s U20 Leinster title triumph.

They will feel his absence. At the same time, there are only 13 Irish players on an AFL list for 2025. The likes of McBride have returned from stints in Australia to play championship for Meath this year. Most accept it is an incredible opportunity. When Armstrong goes, he will carry a county’s well-wishes with him.

“To be honest I was expecting the reaction to be 50/50, you would obviously expect traditionalists to come out who wouldn’t want you to go but literally everyone I spoke to has been delighted for me and 100% supportive. That has been a real positive.”