Gaelic rising star Saoirse Lally (pronounced sur-sha), will swap the County Mayo green for the red, white and black, now calling Moorabbin home.

Selected with pick No. 7 in the 2026 AFLW Pre-Season Draft, the Saints’ defensive stocks are set for a boost of Irish speed and football instincts, with Lally’s athleticism translating as a natural AFLW prospect.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Saoirse and her family to St Kilda and the AFLW,” AFLW List and Recruiting Manager Darius Wyatt said.

“A highly regarded player in the Gaelic football landscape, we’re excited to bring in a talent like Saoirse to the club and can’t wait to see what she can bring to our squad.

“A former captain of Gaelic powerhouse County Mayo, Lally’s leadership, athletic profile and high football IQ stood out as strong attributes to develop into a high-impact AFLW player.

“We’ve seen many successful Irish recruits thrive in the AFLW, and we’re looking forward to supporting Saoirse in her transition to Australian rules.”

Arriving with smooth skills and the accent to match, Lally adds another dimension to a new-look St Kilda outfit in 2026, following the addition of five rising stars in the December national draft.

St Kilda will kick off its 2026 pre-season at RSEA Park on Monday 11 May.