Having spent two decades in the doldrums, Cavan have been promoted to Division 1 of the National Football League following a rip-roaring 1-16 to 1-12 victory over Galway.
Cavan led by 1-8 to 1-5 at half-time after a David Givney goal, but nine first half wides kept the Tribesmen in touch at the break.
It took some colossal defending and a couple of beautiful scores on the break by captain Gearoid McKiernan and Liam Buchanan to see Terry Hyland's men over the line, sparking joyous scenes in Breffni as recorded by fan Elaine Cully:
The only way it could have gone better for Cavan fans would have been if Monaghan got relegated, but the friendly neighbours will face off next year, as will Cavan and Kerry a full 70 years on from the only All-Ireland football final ever to take place abroad.
Over on Twitter, the future was looking particularly blue, as countless supporters and pundits paid tribute to a historic league campaign for the Ulstermen.
Scenes at Breffni Park as Cavan are promoted to Division One with 1-16 to 1-12 win over Galway pic.twitter.com/rMWVgchx9r
— Irish News Sport (@irishnewssport) April 3, 2016
Division 1 babbbyy #Cavan #GAA #BigDogs
— Killian Clarke (@killianclarke33) April 3, 2016
Finally so delighted for Cavan well worth the trip up to the match https://t.co/u7Wxc4GNjh
— Bernie Shiels (@shiels_bernie) April 3, 2016
Great to see so many happy faces leaving Breffni park today as Cavan get promoted to Division 1.Well done to all concerned @CavanCoBoardGaa
— rita martin (@brucearva) April 3, 2016
Div 1, Kerry v Cavan for New York next year. Just saying, 70 years! #GAA
— Ciaran Ó hEadhra (@ciaranoheadhra) April 3, 2016
Cavan footballers have made great strides in recent years! They are the benchmark for upcoming/potential wee counties! #GAA
— Mitch1916🇮🇪 (@THEMITCH8) April 3, 2016
Hup Cavan.Back where they belong.Bring on the Ulster Championship now. #CavanforSam
— Austin McEvoy (@AustinMcEvoy) April 3, 2016
What a day to be a Cavan man! Div 1 How are you keeping? @CavanCoBoardGaa
— St. Patrick's NS (@maugherowschool) April 3, 2016
Cavan Fans staying on in the stand to congratulate our new Division 1 team! #thefutureisblue 💙 @CavanCoBoardGaa pic.twitter.com/C5pw6O3DIC
— Siobhan Tinnelly (@MissTinnelli) April 3, 2016
@ciaranohara Brace yourself for Cavan next year - now with reduced Reillys. Hup!
— Finbar Brady (@finbarbrady) April 3, 2016
What a win for Cavan and deserving of promotion. Gearoid McKiernan with one of the best displays in Breffni Park that I've seen.
— Rory Traynor ® (@Rory_Kid) April 3, 2016
Cavan used 20 players from 20 different clubs to earn promotion today. Not many counties can draw on such an even spread.
— Colm Keys (@KeysColm) April 3, 2016
Cavan promoted. There won't be a dinner shoved in a drawer for a week.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) April 3, 2016
Seanie Johnston a figure of ridicule over last few seasons, good to see him attached to a good news story today. Well done Cavan. #GAA
— Niall McCoy (@McCoyNiall) April 3, 2016
Brilliant stuff from cavan today. Them boys deserve it. Well done all 😊 @KillianGunner @EugeneKeating @DavidGivney @NiallMurray90 @MossieC8
— David Hyland (@Hylo90) April 3, 2016
@CavanCoBoardGaa
YESSSSSSSSSS !!!!!
An Cabhán Abú !!!!!
Congrats from Cavan Supporters' Club Cayman Islands !!— Noel Reilly (@oschilacci) April 3, 2016
To be honest, it's hard to see Cavan not winning Division One next year.
— Mark Farrelly (@MarkFarrelly131) April 3, 2016
Speaking to the Anglo Celt after the game, Shercock's Killian Clarke said:
We were ecstatic there after the game, you could see the celebrations there. It was a goal we set ourselves two or three years ago and it's all coming together now.
The pressure was on there in the last five or 10 minutes but we were happy with the win in the end. We were struggling to get our hands on the ball but with a bit of hard running, we got men up and we picked off a couple of points there at the end.
A cracking day for the Breffni men as the rejoin the big-time for the first time in 20 years. You're in Division 1 now so y'are!
