JOHNNY Lawless admits he can’t wait to see Ardfield mix it with the best in the Premier Division next season.

After a 13-year wait, Ardfield are back in the top tier for the first time since the 2012/13 campaign. They did it in style, too, winning the O’BrienWaterServices.com WCL Championship title to secure automatic promotion.

Their crowning moment came on Sunday when Ardfield beat Bay Rovers 4-3 to seal the title in one of the most unusual finishes to a season imaginable – a game that started before Christmas finally completed on the May bank holiday weekend.

‘The lads are buzzing about playing in the Premier,’ Lawless said.

‘Even last season in the Beamish Cup we came up against a few Premier teams and they loved it. That gave them the appetite, and they said themselves they’d drive on for it. Thankfully it worked out this year.’

Ardfield will now rub shoulders with the likes of neighbours Clonakilty Soccer Club, champions Drinagh Rangers, Togher Celtic and Lyre Rovers. It’s a step up, but one they have earned the hard way.

West Cork League's John Buckley presents the trophy to Ardfield captain Fintan Barrett. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

In recent weeks, Ardfield were locked in a three-way battle with Beara United and Bunratty United for the title and the two promotion spots. Heading into their final game away to Bay Rovers, the equation was simple: win, or miss out.

Victory over Beara in their penultimate game kept their hopes alive and set up the unique decider with Bay Rovers. The original fixture had been abandoned before Christmas due to an unplayable pitch, and under league rules the game had to resume from that point.

It left Ardfield with 45 minutes to rescue their season, trailing 2-1.

They delivered when it mattered most.

‘We are absolutely thrilled,’ Lawless beamed.

‘With all the games we had to catch up on, once it started coming down to the business end, you could feel it building.

‘Then after beating Beara in the second-last game, I said to the lads we were probably 45 minutes away from creating our own little bit of history.

‘It was a strange finish to the season, but overall I’m just delighted for the lads.’

The Ardfield FC team celebrates after defeating Bay Rovers to clinch the West Cork League Championship title at Kealkill on Sunday. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Bay Rovers, who finished fourth, had spent much of the campaign in the promotion hunt themselves. Despite having nothing tangible to play for, they showed their quality and made Ardfield work all the way.

‘There was a lot of talk about the 45 minutes and why it was only that, but to be fair the lads drove it themselves. They really wanted it,’ Lawless said.

‘Bay Rovers came at us for the first 15 or 20 minutes and they were very good. The pressure was on and the heart rate was through the roof.’

Ardfield needed a response and got it through Diarmuid Kerr, who struck to level matters at 2-2. That goal settled the challengers and shifted the momentum.

Paul Hodnett then edged Ardfield in front after 72 minutes, before Kerr struck again to make it 4-2 and seemingly put one hand on the title.

But Bay Rovers hadn’t read the script. James Desmond pulled a goal back with five minutes remaining to set up a nervy finish.

‘The nerves were right back again,’ Lawless admitted.

An equaliser would have cost Ardfield both the title and promotion, but they dug deep and held on to spark scenes of celebration at the final whistle.

It capped a remarkable season for Ardfield, who also claimed the Championship Cup to complete a memorable double.

‘I suppose we’ve been in the doldrums for a long time. It probably goes back to around 2007 when things fell away a bit at junior level,’ Lawless explained.

‘Three years ago we started back with an U19 team and then decided to give junior a go again.

‘So it’s brilliant now for young lads of 16 or 17 to know they can stay at home and play with their own club, instead of having to head into the city or elsewhere. That’s probably the biggest thing for Ardfield people.’

Bay Rovers' Ryan O'Boy gets to the ball ahead of Ardfield's Sean Lawless. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

This success has been built collectively, with Lawless quick to point to the people behind the scenes as well as those on the pitch. Seán Linehan has played a key role on the sideline, while players have consistently stepped up when it mattered most. Robbie Ahern is another who made a significant contribution across the campaign.

All told, Ardfield have put together an impressive body of work. In addition to their league and cup double, they have also reached back-to-back Beamish Cup finals, no small feat for a Championship side.

‘Winning silverware is important. Success breeds success,’ Lawless said.

‘Last year we were handing out runners-up medals in the Beamish Cup and that’s tough. This year you’re handing out two gold medals – it’s a big difference.

‘The Beamish Cup final was probably the only blip this season, but hopefully next year we’ll kick on again and show what we’re about.’

While Ardfield celebrate their return to the top flight, there is still one promotion place to be decided. Beara United and Bunratty United will meet in a play-off on Sunday, May 17th in Drinagh (1pm), with the winner joining Ardfield in the Premier Division next season.

For now, though, Ardfield can savour a job well done. Champions, promoted, and ready for the challenge ahead.