The spotlight turns its attention to Ireland Under-21s forward Armstrong Oko-Flex.

From Glasnevin, Dublin, Armstrong took his first steps in football at local side Tolka Rovers before moving on to St. Kevin’s Football Club.

He would make a move from Dublin 9 to the red side of North London having been spotted by Ireland and Arsenal legend Liam Brady.

While at the Gunners, Armstrong made his first appearance for Ireland at Under-15s level against the Netherlands on January 31, 2017. Coached by Jason Donohue whose back room team included current Shelbourne Head Coach Damien Duff, who Armstrong would later re-unite with at Celtic. Armstrong would earn three caps at that level in an U15s team that included future senior internationals Troy Parrott and Festy Ebosele as well as the current Under-21s captain Joe Hodge.

The tricky winger known for his futsal styled dribbling would progress to the Under-16s and was part of the Victory Shield winning side under Paul Osam. His first goal came in the competition in a 2-2 draw with Wales with his second coming days later against Scotland as Ireland won 2-0 and lifted the trophy.

In 2018, Armstrong would make a move to Celtic and while in Glasgow he returned to the Irish fold, playing a year up for Tom Mohan’s Under-19s where he made five appearances including three competitive games in the U19 EURO Championship Qualifiers.

His first taste of in the Under-21 set-up came in 2021, but it would be in the current campaign he would make his breakthrough. He starred in a 2-2 draw against Ukraine in June 2023 before netting his first goals at that level in a man-of-the-match display against Latvia where he scored twice in a 2-1 win.

His third of the campaign would arrive in March 2024 in a record breaking 7-0 win for Jim Crawford’s team with his latest an equaliser in a 2-2 draw against England in June.

Now playing for FC Zürich Armstrong will look to continue his influence on the U21s EURO campaign this Autumn.
 

Armstrong Oko-Flex numbers

MU15  | 3 caps | 0 goals
MU16 | 5 caps | 2 goals
MU19 | 5 caps | 0 goals
MU21 | 5 caps | 4 goals
Total | 18 caps | 6 goals

Armstrong Oko-Flex fact

Armstrong Away – Each of Armstrong Oko-Flex’s goals have come in away international fixtures         


Armstrong Oko-Flex's FC Zürich will take on Shelbourne in the Second Qualifying Round of the UEFA Conference League this evening (Thursday, August 1) the game is available via club channels.