JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL DIGITAL PROGRAMME SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2020, 5.30PM ATHLETIC GROUNDS REFEREE: ENDA MALLON LINESMAN: STEPHEN MURRAY STANDBY REFEREE: JAKE MAGILL ARMAGHGAA.NET #ARMAGHCLUB20 CLÁR ARMAGH Saturday 19 September 2020 Throw-in 5.30pm, Athletic Grounds Armagh Junior Football Championship Final Forkhill v Belleeks 5.00pm Forkhill team photo 5.02pm Belleek team photo 5.20pm Toss of coin 5.24pm Parade 5.27pm National Anthem 5.30pm Throw-in 6.02pm Halftime 6.48pm* Final whistle (*approx) 6.50pm Presentation on the pitch MATCH DAY PRESENTATION The presentation will take place on the pitch. Spectators are not permitted to enter the pitch enclosure at any time. Please respect this guidance for your safety and the safety of players and volunteers. THE MAN ARMAGH IN THE MIDDLE Today's man in the middle is Enda Mallon from Madden. During his 15 years as a player with his club Madden Enda won an Intermediate Championship in 2013, Division 3 League title in 2008 and has been club player of the year on two occasions. He has been refereeing for 14 years. Coming through the ranks of the Ulster Referee’s Academy, he graduated in 2017. Among his notable appointments, Enda has refereed the Northern Games in Manchester in 2018, U15 Ulster final, and the Armagh Intermediate U21 final in 2019. We wish Enda and his officials well in today's Junior County Final. SEAN QUINN THE SEAN MAN OF QUINN CUP THE MATCH The Armagh Junior Football Championship To honour one of the greatest ever players, trophy is named in memory of Sean Quinn, from and indeed one of Armagh’s finest footballers, Sarsfields GAA, Derrytrasna. the Sean Quinn Man of the Match will be presented to one of today's outstanding Sean played for the county at wing-back and players after the game. captained Armagh in the 1953 All Ireland final against Kerry. He was proudly noted for the The Man of the Match award is selected in spring in his jump despite his relatively small consultation with members from the media. size. In order to mark the esteem and honour of one of greatest Gaels, the cup was presented to Armagh County Board in Sean's memory for the Junior Football Championship winners. A WORD ARMAGH FROM THE CHAIRMAN As Cathaoirleach of Armagh GAA, I would like Your help, patience and co-operation has to extend a warm welcome to the Athletic been exemplary and without this, it would Grounds this evening for the Cormac Leonard have been impossible for our stewards to Commercials Junior Football Championship their job in the way in which they did. Final. I want to thank our stewards; these Welcoming the players, management and the volunteers are certainly the unsung heroes of supporters of Belleeks Laurence O Tooles and our association. The way they have worked Forkhill Peadar O Doirnins. throughout this very difficult time has been simply amazing. This game has the potential to be a real cracker, between two South Armagh rivals. Once again, I would like to thank Cormac There is no doubt that Forkhill have had a Leonard Commercials for the continued tougher route to the final. Having defeated sponsorship of our championship. Eire Og after extra-time and then meeting last year’s beaten finalists, Derrynoose, in the semi- I want to thank all our sponsors and those final. These tough games will certainly stand who have supported our county over the them in good stead. past year. Without you, it would be impossible to run our games the way in Belleeks on the other hand, accounted for which we do. Clady, Dorsey Emmetts and St. Michael’s with considerable ease. Forkhill will look to their Today’s game is brought to you by Linwoods county stars to see them through, whereas Armagh TV for those at home and abroad. Belleeks will look to the Quinn and McParland What a job they have done this year. With brothers, alongside Callum O’Neill and Drew people unable to attend due to the Mc Verry to try get them across the line. pandemic, these volunteers are a credit to our association. All in all, this is a real mouth-watering contest and I for one would not like to make a call. I want to thank our CCC for all their work during this very difficult year. When this Thanks to both teams for supporting the season began, no one knew where we would mental health awareness by wearing bib in finish, but thankfully we made it here to their watm-up today with the Take 5 steps to today's county final. wellbeing message. I want to thank our groundsman Ronan and Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic his assistants Noel and Liam for the numbers at today's county final are marvellous work that they do in having our significantly reduced, but as a county, the pitch in great condition. health and safety of our patrons is our number one priority. I would ask all our spectators to I would just like to finish off by wishing our follow the safety guidance for post-match referee, his officials, and both our competing presentations and not enter the pitch teams, an enjoyable day. Let’s hope we have enclosure. another great final here in our magnificent stadium. I wish everyone an enjoyable As the championship season draws to a close, I afternoon and wherever you are watching, want to take this opportunity to thank enjoy the game and stay safe. everyone who has attended our games. Michéal Ó Sabhaois Cathaoirleach Coiste Contae Ard Mhacha MATCH ARMAGH PREVIEW Junior county decider Belleek or Forkhill? South Armagh will be the location for the Whoever comes out on top of that fascinating Sean Quinn Cup this season as both duel should go along way in deciding which Belleek and Forkhill hope to etch their side comes out on top. You can’t talk about name on the trophy. Forkhill without mentioning Jemar Hall, who has been the most impressive performer in Forkhill have been favourites to do so from the this year’s championship. off and will carry that tag into Saturday evenings encounter. Belleek will not be His partner in crime up top is Cormac Toner, worried about bookmakers odds and know another talented attacking threat for his side. that they have enough quality to trouble their Interestingly however, Forkhill have yet to raise opponents. They’ve put up huge scores in all a green flag in their two championship games. three of their championship games to date, Barry Shannon is another star name in the and their full forward line is a match for Forkhill ranks and his experience will once anyone in the division. again be key for his side. They have recorded 3-19 (vs Clady), 2-15 (vs There are huge question marks over the Dorsey) and 3-15 (vs Newtownhamiliton) in availability of two players on Sunday however, their three championship games this season. one in each dugout. Can Paddy Burns make Their experienced full-forward Sean McCreesh his first appearance in the red and green this is the focal point of a deadly attack and will season and strengthen the defence, currently take some watching this weekend. Drew backboned by Tony Canning along with McVerry and James McParland complete the Owen and Connor Donaghy. inside trio, and both found the net in their last outing. Will we see professional boxer Fergus Quinn enter the fray for Belleek, after coming on in Captain Callum O’Neill has been in inspiring the second half against St Michael’s. form for Garreth Thornton’s side and his presence in the centre of the park has been Plenty of questions remain but one thing is for crucial in guiding Belleek to the decider. sure, these two side should serve up a He builds up incredible pace with his lung ding-dong battle. bursting runs and he is well accustomed to finding himself on the score sheet. His midfield clash with Forkhill star Stephen Sheridan will make incredible viewing and should be worth the admission fee alone. By Shaun Casey ‘Take 5’ for mental wellbeing TODAY our county finalists will wear bibs in their Working together to promote mental wellbeing, pre-match warm-up to raise awareness of the Armagh Chairman Michael Savage said, “As a 'Take 5 steps to wellbeing’ as this week marks sporting organisation we recognise the the launch of a regional mental health and importance of promoting positive mental emotional wellbeing campaign - ‘Working wellbeing with all our members. Mental illness Together To Promote Mental Wellbeing'. can affect anyone, including family, friends, colleagues or teammates. By building these five The Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing are a set of tools steps into our daily lives, we can look after our to help us maintain and improve our wellbeing - mental wellbeing. by thinking of them as our ‘five a day’ we should build these into our daily lives. The steps are "Whether that be, playing or volunteering at your Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning local club the GAA is a great way to be active, and Give. connect, take notice, give and keep learning. I want to thank our county finalists for supporting The Public Health Agency hope that this important initiative today. Go raibh mile encouraging people to Take 5 Steps to maith agat.” Wellbeing will help prevent people reaching crisis point and encourage people to recognise the signs in themselves and others and know where they can get help as early as possible.