Ulster teams dominated in the finals of this year's Hibernian League at Tullamore, winning all four sections of the competition. The League has been gathering strength over the past few years and this year's marked a further step along the way. The feature was the number of young athletes getting their first taste of Senior Competition, generating an atmosphere that only a team event can engender. With a new Title Sponsor on board the event will undoubtedly grow stronger. 
In the Mens Premier Division a dominant performance from North Down's Paul McKee (won 100m in 10.76 and 200m in 21.36 as well as anchoring his team to wins in the two relays) saw them home to a 5 point win over Clonliffe. The runners-up, for whom Colm Rooney (1500m) and Killian Lonergan (5000m) scored particularly impressive wins, could not match the Northern club's 8 wins from their scoring 15 events. Raheny Shamrocks aided by a double win from Paddy McGrath in Hammer (an excellent 63.20) and 56lb took the third spot. In the Premier Womens event Abbey AC secured their victory by virtue of strength in depth rather than individual excellence. Their 5 event wins included Elaine McCafferty (400m 55.47), Kerry Harty (1500m 4.39.75) and Riannon McNally (Hammer 50.61), but put together a series of 2nd's and 3rd's before clinching first place with wins in both relays. A young and mainly inexperienced squad from Leevale deservedly took second place - and the accolade for the best supporters - comfortably ahead of Tir Chonaill, whose Mary McLoone had an excellent treble with wins in 200m, Long and Triple Jumps. Tir Chonaill just held on from the morning leaders Bandon. The Mens Division 1 has been closely fought from the outset with 24 teams seeking the final eight places in last Sunday's event. An excellent Shercock squad established an early dominance which was never really threatened, but the second and third places were very much in dispute up to the final event - the 4x400m relay. Always a great event for generating excitement, Co Meath led Togher/ Belgooley by three points at the start and, while Togher/ Belgooley got the win, Meath hung on for second place to secure the Silver Medals by 1 point. Most emphatic winners of the day were City of Lisburn in Womens Division 1 whose winners included Sara Quinn (200m), Erin McIlveen (800), Kelly Reid (1500m), Anne Marie Kane (1500 Walk), Linzi Herron (HJ), Laura Kerr (Shot and Javelin), and Jackie McKernan (Discus); they finished 20 points ahead of their nearest rivals. They will be feared by the best in next year's Premier event. In second place was Athletics Wexford for whom Antoinette Stafford scored a fine treble in 400m, Long and Triple Jumps. Best of the rest were Borrisokane who managed to stay 4 points clear of a competitive Co Meath squad.
In the Mens Premier Division a dominant performance from North Down's Paul McKee (won 100m in 10.76 and 200m in 21.36 as well as anchoring his team to wins in the two relays) saw them home to a 5 point win over Clonliffe. The runners-up, for whom Colm Rooney (1500m) and Killian Lonergan (5000m) scored particularly impressive wins, could not match the Northern club's 8 wins from their scoring 15 events. Raheny Shamrocks aided by a double win from Paddy McGrath in Hammer (an excellent 63.20) and 56lb took the third spot. In the Premier Womens event Abbey AC secured their victory by virtue of strength in depth rather than individual excellence. Their 5 event wins included Elaine McCafferty (400m 55.47), Kerry Harty (1500m 4.39.75) and Riannon McNally (Hammer 50.61), but put together a series of 2nd's and 3rd's before clinching first place with wins in both relays. A young and mainly inexperienced squad from Leevale deservedly took second place - and the accolade for the best supporters - comfortably ahead of Tir Chonaill, whose Mary McLoone had an excellent treble with wins in 200m, Long and Triple Jumps. Tir Chonaill just held on from the morning leaders Bandon. The Mens Division 1 has been closely fought from the outset with 24 teams seeking the final eight places in last Sunday's event. An excellent Shercock squad established an early dominance which was never really threatened, but the second and third places were very much in dispute up to the final event - the 4x400m relay. Always a great event for generating excitement, Co Meath led Togher/ Belgooley by three points at the start and, while Togher/ Belgooley got the win, Meath hung on for second place to secure the Silver Medals by 1 point. Most emphatic winners of the day were City of Lisburn in Womens Division 1 whose winners included Sara Quinn (200m), Erin McIlveen (800), Kelly Reid (1500m), Anne Marie Kane (1500 Walk), Linzi Herron (HJ), Laura Kerr (Shot and Javelin), and Jackie McKernan (Discus); they finished 20 points ahead of their nearest rivals. They will be feared by the best in next year's Premier event. In second place was Athletics Wexford for whom Antoinette Stafford scored a fine treble in 400m, Long and Triple Jumps. Best of the rest were Borrisokane who managed to stay 4 points clear of a competitive Co Meath squad. 
