Magheraveely will play in Division One for the first time in their short history, after they sealed promotion with a 2-0 victory over Glebe United.
Second half goals from Gregory Johnston and Paul Elliott were enough to secure the three points and confirm their second place finish in Division Two.
“It means everything to the club,” said a delighted Rodney McVitty.
“We are only going five years and to have come from nothing in that time is a credit to the manager Anthony Smith. We were third last year and we were a bit unlucky because we came up against Enniskillen Santos and Irvinestown who were two excellent sides.
“Our aim this year had to be top three and maybe promotion. We knew we would be there or thereabouts with Strule and Mountjoy and that is the way it worked out. There was very little between the three teams all season. Since Christmas we have won seven out of eight games with Mountjoy the only team to beat us so it was a good turnaround from half way through the season.
“We managed three clean sheets in our last three games and we only conceded fifteen goals all season so we have been very solid defensively.”
The team is undaunted about playing in the top flight, and Rodney is confident they can avoid relegation and maybe spring a few surprises along the way.
“We are not going to win it but certainly we would be hopeful that we can compete well and survive,” he said.
“We have a very young team and there is only one of them over 25 so their best years are still ahead of them. We know division one is a big step up but we have a team that is going well and constantly developing.
“We have played a lot of those teams in cups games and friendlies and we know we are there or thereabouts. We just need to get two or three quality players and we will can be a match for anyone.”
Their promotion was sealed with victory at Glebe, but in the early stages there were signs of nerves as they struggled to settle into their normal game. Gregory Johnston headed in a cross from Joseph Williamson but it was ruled out for offside, while Glebe came close from a free kick.
Magheraveely keeper Robert Wiggins handled a back pass from Johnny O’Malley, and from the twelve yards out Ryan Devine had his shot blocked on the line by Matty Irwin.
Conor Beggan dragged a shot wide in a half of few chances, but Magheraveely started to gain the upper hand from the start of the second period.
The breakthrough finally came after an hour. Matty Irwin’s long throw in was headed goalwards by Paul Elliott, and after several attempts in a goalmouth scramble, Gregory Johnston prodded home from inside the six yard box.
George Williamson came close with a shot from the edge of the area that came back off the post, before Paul Elliott sealed promotion with the second goal of the game, tapping in a Sean Mullaney cross from close range.