It’s rare that the Junior Championship from the previous year head into to the opening round as favourites.
But that’s the situation Forkhill find themselves in this year.
They carried the favourites tag into all of their 2020 Championship outings and successfully got their hands on the Sean Quinn Cup.
It wasn’t plain sailing however and they certainly had to do it the hard way. Beating Eire Og after extra time, nudging past Derrynoose by one and seeing off Belleek after a replay and extra time.
They had to play out their Junior league fixtures, not the best preparation heading into the Intermediate Championship.
They carry the threat of three county men of course, in Patrick Burns, Stephen Sheridan and Jemar Hall.
They’re more than a three-man team however, as they proved last season. Both Cormac Toner and Tony Canning picked up club All-Stars.
No doubt An Port Mór will know they are up against it this weekend after experiencing a poor league campaign.
The Blackwatertown men won just two league games and suffered relegation to the Junior league.
They have some good attackers however than can do damage if they see enough of the ball.
Cormac Kieran is the main man in the forward line, supported by Oisin Campbell at full forward.
Dara McKenna makes the forward unit tick and will be helped by Vance Doherty who lines out at centre field.
Forkhill should book their place in the next round. But you can be sure An Port Mór won’t be there to just make up the numbers.
They gave Tullysaran a good rattle in the first round last year and will hope to produce a similar performance tomorrow.
