Clogher Valley wrapped up the Championship Division One title on Saturday with a comprehensive victory over Grosvenor but head coach Stephen Bothwell states that the focus has quickly shifted now to the All Ireland League play offs with the Valley keen to grasp the opportunity that there for them.

“We were very close to it last year and got pipped by Instonians so it is pleasing to get over the line this year in the league but the celebrations were only short as we are straight into play offs and it is no good winning this if we can’t take the next step. There is a lot of work to be done over the next month or so,” he said.

With a talented squad of young players, Bothwell feels that now is the time for Clogher to really make that push to take the step up although he acknowledges that it is a step into the unknown with the key being keeping the players sharp ahead of the play offs.

“If we had done what we done with an ageing squad you wouldn’t be looking at it so much but with the side so young then the boys deserve a really good crack at it.

“I just hope we can keep the form going, it is just so important to keep everything right over the next month. It is a funny time because you have the cups to figure in as well. From playing five games in two weeks now we have a game next Saturday and then two weeks off and then a game on the Saturday before the play offs.

“It is about getting boys focused on it and making sure that boys have the right time in the legs and making sure that the fitness is right and we are not under or over cooking them; just make sure that they are sharp. It is just unknown territory for us at the minute and you just hope that you get it right,” he added.

Clogher though are in fine form at present and with the seconds winning in the Crawford Cup things are going well for the entire squad.

“I felt from the Newcastle West game we have kind of kicked on. That semi final in Limerick was a really tough game in bad weather and then the final was nip and tuck because it was that derby thing and it was a final and you don’t play your best rugby when you are under that much pressure but since that I think we have kicked on.

“I always think that we are a better weather sort of team and the weather has got a little bit better and we are moving it a bit quicker which is helping us.

The seconds also had a great win in the Crawford Cup on Saturday and they moved the ball well and we’re just delighted with the way whole squad of boys and hopefully we can just hold it all together now.

“Every Junior club would love to be where we are and we just want to make the bet of the opportunity that we have. We’ll put the heads down and work hard for the next four or five weeks,” he concluded.