DFI Chats: Aidan Forker on Sleep, Sport & Snoring Teammates

When Aidan Forker, Armagh Gaelic footballer and 2024 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship winning captain, visited the DFI Beds showroom recently, he wasn't just browsing - he was on a mission for better sleep. After chatting with our team (and test-lounging a few mattresses), the conversation quickly turned to the one thing elite athletes rarely get enough of: proper rest.

We sat down with Aidan for a quick-fire Q&A on all things sleep, sport, and what really goes on in the team hotel the night before a big match.

Aidan, be honest – does how much sleep you get, actually matter to a GAA player?

It's massive. If you're not sleeping right, you're not training right.Simple as that.It's like trying to drive on a flattyre, everything feels off. You might not feel it straight away, but it'll catch up with you.I useOuraring to track my sleep duration and qualityandtry to stay consistent. 

If you get a bad sleep, how's your play affected?

The first thing I notice is energy levels. You're that half-second slower to reactand in our game, half a second is a turnover. Decision-making gets foggytoo. Productivity, etc. Sleep impacts everything from mood to muscle recovery, so you feel it in body and mind.

What's your ideal sleep setup?

Aidan: Cool room, pitch black, and no distractions. I leave the phone out of reach, otherwise, it's too easy to end up scrolling. I also avoid caffeine late in the day. Sleep tea beforebed, and some reading to nod me off. I've taken my sleep routine up a little this year to help my recovery from knocks and injuries. 

Who's the best sleeper on the team – like, out before the head hits the pillow?

Tiarnan Kelly could fall asleep standing up. Bus, dressing room, during the team talk – he's gone. Built different.

And the worst?

Take your pic, Mark Shields, Niall Rowland, and Ciaran Mackin – loudest snorers in Ulster. He doesn't sleep with you; he sleeps against you. If you're rooming with him, bring noise-cancelling headphones, or you're in for a long night. 

Pre-match nerves – do theymess with your sleep, orare youout cold?

Depends on the game. Big finals, yeah, the mind's racing a bit – visualising scenarios, matchups. But over the years, you learn to wind down properly. The body's clever, too, it knows when rest is non-negotiable.

Ever had a nightmare before a big game?

Only the classics; I forgot my boots or turned up late, and we're already five points down. One time, I dreamt I was marking a lad twice my size who kept soloing past me like I was a cone because my legs wouldn't move. I've probably had a few real-life nightmares in my timetoo! 

What's your guilty bedtime habit?

Bit of scrolling, if I'm being honest. You open Instagram for five minutes…, and then suddenly, you're watching sheepdog trials in New Zealand at12 o'clock. I'm working on it.

If sleep was part of GAA training – how would the manager rate you?

I'd say I'm very consistent. Not flashy, no late nights, no drama; a solid eight out of ten sleeper. Always shows up recovered.I'm an early riser, so sometimes my durationscan be lower, but Itry to get to bed before 10.15pm every night. 

Cheers to Aidan for the chat. If you're curious about how sleep impacts performance, on or off the pitch, check out the DFI BedsLGFA partnership blogs for more expert tips, athlete routines, and sleep insights.