An emotional Barney Cully paid tribute to the players and "tremendous" supporters of Arva, the newly-crowned All-Ireland Junior Champions for 2024. He also praised Arvagh's neighbours in Leitrim and Longford who, he said, have always supported the club from Cavan. And, while the lifelong GAA man, said Listowel Emmetts were gracious in their loss, it felt "unreal" to beat a Kerry team in Croke Park.
Arvagh defeated Listowel Emmetts by 13 points to 10 following a magnificent display of football by Finbar O'Reilly's men. Barney, who is not only well-known for Cullys famous bakery but, also as a passionate true blue and lifelong Gael, said Arvagh was jammed last night as people from New York, the Emirates, Belgium and beyond, were home to cheer on the team. Now, the team from the small Cavan town where three parishes meet, that has a population of around just 450, will be promoted to intermediate level for the upcoming season.
"It's just unreal," Barney told the Joe Finnegan Show, "I've been going to Croke Park since my father used to lift me over the turnstiles and it's just unreal. We only have a population of 450 in Arvagh, y'know and we're All-Ireland Junior Champions. It can't get better than that!"
