By Niall Gartland

ARVA won last season’s All-Ireland Junior Club Championship title and there’s been no sign of any sort of slippage or comedown in their return to the Intermediate ranks of Cavan.

They enjoyed the finest season in the club’s history in 2023/4 but they’re determined not to dine out on that success and have booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Intermediate Championship ahead of schedule.

Finbar O’Reilly’s side have won all three of their games to date ahead of their final group stage clash against Killinkere this Saturday, and he says they’re determined to keep their winning run going ahead of the all-important knock-out rounds.

“We wouldn’t fancy going into a quarter-final on the back of a defeat, though I appreciate there could be cause for giving a couple of lads game-time, and resting a few boys with knocks a niggles.

“But listen, it’s championship football and we’ll be going for the win and trying to keep that winning streak going.”

Arva are in their second season playing in Division One in Cavan and they really excelled themselves with a comfortable mid-table finish.

They had some bad days out but that was compensated by impressive victories against the likes of reigning senior champions Gowna.

Finbar said: “It’s been good for us, historically Arva wouldn’t be in Division One too often and playing at that level has really stood to us.

“We’re playing the best teams in Cavan and we’ve had mixed results but have had to play without lads missing with injuries and on county duty.

“We had tough tasks against Crosserlough and Ramor but we’ve had good wins against Gowna, Lacken and Cuchulainns and teams like that, and we’ve brought that into the championship and we’re happy enough with our form.”

Arva clinched All-Ireland honours back in January with a thoroughly deserved win over Kerry representatives Listowel. They took some time off after that historic day and that period of respite has stood to them in the long run.

Finbar said: “We took about six or seven weeks completely off, then in early March we got back and it was a slow-burner with pitch session a week.

“It’s been a case of building on last year. We needed a bit of game-time but we got back at it and have managed to keep the boys fresh.

“They’re in good condition, they’re fresh and enthused and that’s a big thing for us.”