‘There are no easy games in Ulster’ says Armagh's Aidan Forker ahead of Fermanagh opener

Despite coming up short in the Allianz Football League Division 2 final against Donegal last week, Armagh had already achieved their first target of the season in getting promoted back up to the top flight.

Although silverware eluded them at Croke Park last Sunday, the Ulster Championship presents a very real chance for the Orchard County to pick up a trophy, as they are favourites to reach the final from their side of the draw.

Up first, Armagh travel to Fermanagh this Sunday, who they recently defeat 0-15 to 0-11 in the league.

With Armagh going up from Division 2 and Fermanagh going down, Kieran McGeeney’s side are certainly the favourites, but Armagh captain Aidan Forker has guarded against complacency, referring to the difficult battles they have had in Brewster Park over the years.

“I've played Fermanagh many times over the years, and they're a proud county,” said Forker.

“Those players are proud men and proud Fermanagh men. We know we're going to go there and get a real tough test.

“Every game in Ulster, I would argue, is very challenging and very tough. But we'll embrace it, and see where it takes us.”

Whilst the discussions over the merit of the provincial system persist in 2024, there is little question that Ulster is extremely competitive.

Dublin (who have 18 of the last 19 titles) will be expected to win Leinster and Kerry (who have won 12 of the last 14 titles) will be expected to win Munster once again.

Ulster on the other hand, has seen four different winners since 2019, and eight of the nine counties have contested at least one final since 2017.

Armagh haven’t won the Anglo Celt trophy since 2008 – although they were desperately unlucky last year, losing out on penalties against Derry in the final.

All of this makes Ulster extremely difficult to call each year, and Forker says Armagh can’t afford to look beyond any other team, regardless of the odds going into the game.

“It's very competitive. It's the old cliché of taking it one game at a time, but you have to,” he said.

“If you take your eye off the ball, you will definitely be caught. We'll look at Fermanagh and hopefully we can put in a performance and get a win, and see who we meet after that.

“We'll take it one step at a time and hopefully get out of these games injury free, which is going to be important for us going forward.”

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Competition for places

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One of Armagh’s biggest strengths this year has been their firepower off the bench, with the likes of Rian O’Neill, Oisin O’Neill, Jarly Og Burns and Jason Duffy regularly brought in off the bench rather than from the start.

Armagh have been without Ethan Rafferty, Callum Cumiskey and James Morgan throughout the league, but otherwise have had good availability and Forker says that training is tough, with everyone trying to earn a starting spot.

“There is massive competition for places and training is very intense and competitive,” he said.

“Everybody wants one of those starting berths and that's a good thing. I suppose that's healthy in a group. It's great to see anybody coming on (off the bench) who you know is experienced and physically ready and has great appetite to come in and have an impact. It's brilliant.”

The strength in depth this year has certainly been added to by the performances of two young players, Peter McGrane at corner back and Oisin Conaty at corner forward, who started every single league game, and Forker paid tribute to how they have forged their places in the team.

“There is no doubt those two boys have been an absolute credit to themselves, in terms of how they have applied themselves,” said Forker.

“Physically, they have got themselves to the level that's required. They're big, strong, powerful and they're adding a lot to us going forward and in defence.

“They're two honest boys who really want to play for their county, and it's a great lesson for anyone who is aspiring to push into the group.

“They have been really patient and hard working, and they got their chance and they seized it and they have never looked back. They will only get better in my opinion.”

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Condensed season is ‘welcomed by the players’

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Debate rages on regarding the new format of the condensed season in recent years, with some for it and some against it.

Looking at it positively, the two-week turnaround between games allows Armagh to get the Donegal defeat out of their system, and Forker is certainly a supporter.

“It's fine when the going is good I suppose,” he said.

“You get recovery in between games and it keeps you on your toes, but I suppose if you get a muscle injury of any sorts, you're going to be on the back foot.

“There are pros and cons to both; I enjoy it, because the condensed season is definitely a welcomed thing for players.

“It's good, it was needed, there is probably a week or two that you could look at that you could maybe extend it out or whatever, but we're not complaining about having more games.”

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