Football

Armagh squad behind pair in Aussie Rules frame insists Aidan Forker

Aidan Forker insists Rian O'Neill and Ross McQuillan would have the backing of the Orchard squad if they were offered the chance of a trial Down Under. Picture by Columba O'Hare
Aidan Forker insists Rian O'Neill and Ross McQuillan would have the backing of the Orchard squad if they were offered the chance of a trial Down Under. Picture by Columba O'Hare Aidan Forker insists Rian O'Neill and Ross McQuillan would have the backing of the Orchard squad if they were offered the chance of a trial Down Under. Picture by Columba O'Hare

THEY are two of the rising stars of Armagh football, but Aidan Forker insists the entire Orchard panel would be behind Rian O’Neill and Ross McQuillan if they chose to pursue professional careers in Aussie Rules football.

The teenagers were among 20 Irish hopefuls who attended the eighth annual AFL Europe Combine in Dublin at the end of last month, and it is understood competition was at the highest level yet.

Former Down and Collingwood player Marty Clarke, and other AFL Europe officials, oversaw the two-day fitness and skills testing event as the likes of O’Neill and McQuillan bid to earn a trial Down Under.

Derry have lost three players to the AFL in recent years, with Conor Glass, Anton Tohill and Callum Brown all being snapped up.

And, although O’Neill and McQuillan have both been tipped for big futures at county level, Forker feels it is an opportunity no aspiring young athlete could afford to turn down.

“I know for sure every member of the squad will be supporting them all the way,” said the Maghery player.

“Every man’s dream is to become a professional athlete and if those boys have a chance of going to do it then I’m delighted for them.

“Those players can be an inspiration for young boys coming through in Armagh by going and doing something like that. It can only drive the standard of the county.

“Yes we’d love to have them, selfishly, but if they have an opportunity to go and do that, it’s absolutely brilliant for them and their families.”

And while it remains to be seen what the future holds for O’Neill and McQuillan, the return of attacking aces Jamie Clarke and Stefan Campbell to the fold is a huge boost heading into 2019.

Clarke missed out this year after relocating to America, where he represented New York in the Championship, while Campbell opted to take time away from the inter-county scene.

With both now back in the fray, alongside the likes of Andrew Murnin and the Grugan brothers, Rory and Jack, Forker admits it leaves Armagh in a strong.

“Those boys made the decision to step away for one reason or another – everybody has a life outside football and both boys did it very amicably, came and spoke to us and told us their thoughts.

“My personal opinion was ‘go and do your thing, it’s fine’. There’s life outside football, we all know that, and if it takes a year or two or whatever it is to go and figure stuff out, I can only think we’ll benefit from that in the long run when they’re coming home and they’re settled.

“They realise this is where they want to be and what they want to do, and the way they have approached coming back into the panel this year, they’ve shown a great appetite and a great humility in asking to come back in.

“We’re not going to stand in anybody’s way who wants to play for Armagh. We’re a stronger squad to have those boys back in and we’re delighted to have them.”

Still only 26 Forker, who first burst onto the Orchard scene in 2011, is now one of the senior members on a youthful Armagh panel – and he admits it is a role he embraces.

“I still remember myself not that long ago being a young whippersnapper,” smiles Forker.

“I’ve tried to assume a bit of a leadership role within the squad in this last wee while, I try and help guide players any way I can.

“The best way to lead is to be an example because they will see by looking at your actions rather than your words. That’s how I learned, looking at the likes of Ciaran McKeever, Aaron Kernan, Finnian Moriarty, Andy Mallon, boys who were at the top of their game when I came into the panel.

“In terms of how they conducted themselves on and off the field, how they applied themselves to their training, they taught me what it means to be an Armagh player.

“They’ve been really good mentors to me, whether they knew it or not.”