Young Irish football star chooses Armagh GAA over football career

Dungannon Swifts forward Tomás Galvin follows his inter-county dream

The 21-year-old from Keady, Co Armagh, was seen as a rising star at Dungannon Swifts. He became a first-team regular in recent seasons and was linked with several clubs across the water.

However, Galvin has now chosen to focus on his “lifetime ambition” — representing his home county on the Gaelic football stage.

McAree confirms the surprise move

Dungannon manager Dean McAree revealed the news after his side’s win over Larne. He admitted the call-up to the Armagh panel came “massively out of the blue.”

“Tomás Galvin has made the decision that he wants to go and play GAA,” McAree said.

“He has been invited to play for Armagh GAA and he has decided that at this stage it's maybe the best thing for him.

He wants to try it, it’s a lifetime ambition of Tomás’s, and I respect that and I wish him well.”

McAree also confirmed that Dungannon will keep his registration open in case Galvin wishes to return.

Switching from the football field to the inter-county game

Galvin has already played hurling and football for his local Keady GAA club. He also featured for Armagh’s senior hurling team and their underage football sides.

During his time at Dungannon, he scored 14 league goals across two seasons and hit an extra-time winner in the Irish Cup against Coleraine.

Now, he joins Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh panel ahead of the 2026 campaign — following in the footsteps of former Swifts players Aidan Forker and Niall Morgan, who also chose GAA.