The 2024 All-Ireland winning skipper is hoping to play a part in Sunday’s Ulster Championship opener against Tyrone after working his way back to fitness after ankle surgery
Ulster SFC preliminary round: Armagh v Tyrone (Sunday, 4.15pm, Box-It Athletic Grounds)
Aidan Forker hopes to play some part in Sunday’s Ulster SFC clash with rivals Tyrone after being “pain free” for the first time in over a year.
The 2024 All-Ireland winning skipper was given the briefest of cameos against Dublin in Croke Park last month, but has spent the majority of the season working his way back after ankle surgery last autumn.
The Maghery clubman also says he never contemplated retirement, insisting there is more silverware to be won with his Armagh team.
“I’m finally pain free after many, many months, I’d say over a year at this stage,” said Forker.
“It’s been a long road for me in terms of the surgery and my back and stuff.
“It was just debilitating, like chronic pain. I was waking up every morning, struggling to move.
“With regards to the ankle, I couldn’t really run to my left, couldn’t sprint because of the back issue and again, chronic low-level pain all the time, but maybe waking up in the morning thinking you’re back to square one after a rehab session or whatever.”
In his quest to regain full fitness Forker, ironically, turned to a Tyrone native for help, albeit one based in Chile. Derrylaughan man Paddy Corey is now Forker’s Pilates instructor with the duo working online three or four times a week for the last six months.
It has been a difficult journey for Forker, but he never felt like calling time on his county career.
“I worked very hard, we worked very hard, I suppose, as a core group for many years to get Armagh to this level,” said Forker.
“I know the quality that we have, and I feel like there’s something there for us in terms of medals again.
“So, the appetite is there from the group, and I think, to be honest with you, the set-up is just second to none. I always remind the boys, especially the older lads, that we’re living our best days, and we probably don’t know it really.
“It’s not an easy thing to walk away from, but from a very practical point of view, we’re in the first division.
“We’re at the top table, and we’re right there with the top teams. I feel like, personally, I can add to it, and we can maybe do something, and it’s going to be hard for sure, but it’s hard every year.
“I feel we’re right up there with the top teams, that’s where you want to be as an athlete, so we’re trying to squeeze as much out of that as possible.”
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