Forker keen to secure further Armagh glory

Forker is working his way back to full fitness after undergoing ankle surgery last year [Getty Images]

Armagh's Aidan Forker says "it'll not be for want of trying" should he and his Orchard team-mates miss out on adding to their medal collection.

Kieran McGeeney's side secured All-Ireland glory in 2024, but have lost in the last three Ulster finals as the county's wait for a first provincial title since 2008 now enters its 18th year.

Forker captained Armagh two years ago and would love to get his hands on more silverware before he calls it a day.

Naturally, Sam Maguire is the ultimate honour, but ending their wait for Ulster's Angle-Celt Cup would represent another major box ticked should this be their year.

"All 'Geezer' [McGeeney] talks about is winning All-Irelands," said the 33-year-old.

"I'm lucky that he came in when I was quite impressionable at 21 years of age. So that's all I ever set out to do, is win All-Irelands, and more than one hopefully and if you pick up some Ulster titles along the way, it would be amazing.

"Now I'm not trying to dilute that at all, a championship medal is a championship medal. I've spent my whole life chasing them, whether it be club or county or whatever.

"The All-Ireland is obviously the ultimate, but I would be lying if I didn't say I'd like an Ulster medal as well for sure."

Forker is working his way back to full fitness following ankle surgery, coming on for the final few minutes in the league win over Dublin on 14 March.

While acknowledging "any athlete worth their salt wants to play", he accepts he may have a different role but "trust fully in the management to make the right decision".

Naturally, his ambition is to be involved this weekend as Armagh host fierce rivals Tyrone for a place in the quarter-finals of the Ulster Championship, but he has not made the 26-man panel named on Thursday.

The counties have served up some memorable battles over the years and Forker anticipates another one at the Athletic Grounds this week.

"It's an easy one to hopefully get up for. We've had some ding-dongs over the years. My own debut was against Tyrone in a preliminary match," he recalls.

"We've had some bad defeats over the years and some decent wins, so there's never anything really in it.

"No matter how good teams are going or how they're not going, it doesn't really count for much when it's Armagh against Tyrone. It's exciting for everyone."