A HISTORY OF ARVA
St. Patrick’s Arva GAA is based in Co. Cavan and has a rich history in Gaelic games founded in 1886 under the name of Arva Davitt’s Club, making it one of the first clubs to be formed in Co. Cavan. The club has played a significant role in the community promoting and nurturing traditional Irish sports including Gaelic games and hurling. After the initial formation of the Arva Davitt’s the club competed for several years and in 1966 Arva Davitt’s and Cormore a neighbouring club amalgamated. The first Club Championship title to come to the club was in 1933 when they won the Junior Championship. In 1937 Cavan won the Minor All Ireland ;Fr. Harry Bouchier captioned the team, the two Cully brothers Barney and Tom both played in full back positions, while John Joe Brady (Hotel) played in goals. Barney Cully was full back again when they won in 1938. In the 1940’s Arva won senior league titles in 1942 and in 1944; Arva Davitt’s club lapsed for a few years and was reformed in 1962 reaching the junior Championship semi-final that year but were defeated by a strong Killinkere side in Breffni Park. Sunday May 14th in 1972 was a year for remembrance and celebrations in Arva’s footballing history when Michael Cully Park was offically opened. Our neighbouring footballing club Gowna collapsed and in 1972 they joined forces with Arva which gave us great success by winning the Intermediate Club Championship later that year; Brían Brady, Gurteen captained that team, more success followed for most of the 1980’s Arva played senior Championship and at one stage has four players on the County team.
We were relegated to Division 3 for 1999. The club’s revival began with a crop of young talented players many of whom are the backbone of our current Senior team. They gained promotion for three consecutive years to take them back to senior league Division 1. A feat that has never happened before or since. Arva played in four consecutive finals from 2013 to 2016 winning the junior and intermediate title along the way. As you can see, we have had our fair share of victories and challenges over the years contributing to the tapestry of Gaelic games in the region.
The club teams have participated in various competitions including the Cavan County Championships and Leagues, we lost the Junior Championship title to Drumlane in 2022. Last year Arva’s footballing team entered the history books by winning the County Junior Championship for 2023, the AIB Ulster Club Championship title for 2023 and the AIB All – Ireland Junior Club Championship title 2023/ 24. Hopefully today we will get another cup for the cabinet
