Padraig Faulkner relishing Cavan's winning habit

Cavan's Padraig Faulkner admitted it was "annoying" that they were unable to break into the Sam Maguire race via the league, though he insists the squad are not dwelling on it as they continue to power through Division 3.

With two games remaining, Mickey Graham's side are effectively guaranteed promotion, having beaten the trio of teams - Westmeath, Down, Offaly - on six points, while boasting a comfortably superior points difference to the latter two.

However, the path to the Sam Maguire competition is blocked off thanks to the unusual draw in Connacht, which has plonked the Division 4 counties (plus New York) on one side of the draw, guaranteeing one of them a slot in the elite race.

"We did address at the start of the year," Faulkner told RTÉ Sport.

"Winning a Division 3 - obviously we haven't won yet or we haven't put our sights at that yet - doesn't guarantee success in reaching the All-Ireland campaign

"It is something that we have to set our sights on, that we have to get to an Ulster final to guarantee success in the All-Ireland campaign.

"It is annoying. We're not dwelling on it. We're just taking each game as it comes. We'll have to set our sights on the league first and then after that, we can look at the championship campaign."

As to the suggestion as to whether the provincial championships could be seeded to militate against such an outcome in the future, Faulkner wouldn't be inclined to agree, acknowledging that rarity of the draw and admitting it affords the counties in question a chance of reaching the All-Ireland series.

"Obviously, statistical probability wouldn't have the counties on the same side (of the draw). It's a great incentive for those teams to go onto a provincial final I don't think I'd take away