Clogher Valley manager Stephen Bothwell guided the club to another promotion at the weekend as they will go on to play in Division 2B of the All-Ireland League for the first time.

With promotion last year, Clogher played their first season in the Senior league set-up and have gone from strength to strength with 15 wins from 18 games in 2C, meaning they will climb another rung of the All-Ireland ladder.

“Obviously a huge win, last year when we got promotion to the All-Ireland, we didn’t know what was really in store for us,” Bothwell said on promotion.

“It was very much just take it one game at a time and thankfully as the season progressed we got more belief in us and seen it was a bit more possible to get into the playoffs and then maybe get to a straight promotion which was ideal, so, delighted with the way it turned out and get to Division 2B.”

Clogher swept Ballina aside on Saturday with a 41-12 scoreline in the final league game, over the side who finished bottom of the table.

“It was nice to do it in such a controlled fashion with it being 41-12 and getting your bonus point,” Bothwell added.

“Obviously, with the bonus point and the four tries up, the pressure was a bit relieved because we knew we only needed one point for it to be done but fair play to the boys they kept the pressure on and put in a really good performance so delighted with them all and all the boys that have come in this season because it’s not all the same boys as last year.

"There’s boys who have been a bit more prominent this year and were on the fringes of the squad last year but it’s good to have them younger lads come through and push the standards.”

When asked about next year's ambitions in 2B, the Clogher coach responded: “Hopefully we’ll be able to put in the same performances and if we play to the best of our ability and everyone puts their best foot forward it's as much as you can ask from any of them, you know.”

Bothwell’s side will travel to Eaton Park this weekend as they play Ballymena in what will be another opportunity to pick up silverware in the final of the Senior Shield against a side who finished seventh in Division 2A.

“Obviously it’s a final so they’ll be putting their best foot forward. I’m delighted that they didn’t have any relegation issues,” he added.

“If they had of been in playoffs, they might have been struggling to put out a first team but now they will be at full strength.

"So, it will be a really good test for us to see where we are against a really good opposition that is higher than us.

"Years ago, when I watched senior rugby, it was always Ballymena and Dungannon 1sts who were always the top teams, and we would have been playing against the likes of Ballymena 2nds and Dungannon 2nds and to be on the same pitch now as Ballymena 1sts is really good for the club to be at that stage and I’m delighted to have a crack at them.”