Aidan Forker of Armagh, at the AIB launch of the 2024 GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championships at the D-Light Studios in Dublin. AIB marking it’s ninth year sponsoring the GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championships, will once again celebrate #TheToughest players in Gaelic Games - highlighting the grit, determination and passion that is required to win this year’s Championship. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Aidan Forker knows all about the tradition and importance of the Ulster SFC.
So, when Armagh were defeated in the provincial decider on penalties by Derry last year it hurt deeply.
Busy preparing for Sunday’s Ulster SFC clash against Fermanagh, Forker acknowledges the bitter disappointment of the Derry defeat. “I think I've it well parked, but it was probably one the lowest I've ever been in my career coming home on that bus,” Forker says ahead of the Fermanagh encounter.
“How close we were, you're going through moments yourself, how you could have been a bit better. It was definitely on a knife edge.
"With the penalties, somebody had to be on the wrong end of it, so it was just unfortunate that we were. It was definitely the toughest one to date.
“Every year is different. There are no guarantees with any year in Ulster or anything like that. Yes, you want to keep building, but every team is thinking that way.
“We are under no illusions, every game this year is going to be tough, as it has been in the league. We have a really good Fermanagh team that beat Cavan in their last game, we have to go them. Nothing will be easy won this year, either.”
Armagh's Aidan Forker during the 2023 Ulster SFC Final against Derry. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Harrowing penalty shootout reversals in 2022 and 2023 have been suffered by Armagh. “In the acute stages, it is definitely difficult to stomach, for sure,” Forker says.
“You don't be long, when you get back into the group, getting energy back again. When the dust settles, you probably have to say to yourself, that we aren't that far away.
"We were unlucky in a lot of those games; I don't like to use the word luck often, but you do need a bit of luck, and we weren't on the right side of it with Galway, Monaghan, and Derry, in the Ulster Final.
“So, it isn't lost on us, it does hurt. They were great games to be a part of, but we are determined to be on the right side of them. The opportunities were there for us, but we'd love to be back in those big games, having a crack at it, again.”
Despite losing the Allianz Football League Division Two decider against Donegal at Croke Park, Armagh still attained promotion. “Overall, it was a positive, obviously disappointing the way it ended,” Forker reflects on the league campaign.
“Different factors, I suppose, left us a bit flat. We set out our stall to try to get back to Division One and we did that very well, I'd argue. Overall, it was positive, we can park the league and get ready for this weekend and the Ulster Championship.
“It is easy now to compartmentalise your season now with league, Ulster, and the All-Ireland series after that. It is a good reset.”
