Today’s AAI National League Final signed off a busy weekend of domestic athletics action in Tullamore, concluding with Clonliffe Harriers (Men) and Dundrum South Dublin AC (Women) coming out as overall premier winners.
It was also a day to celebrate for all in Tir Chonaill and Enniscorthy who claimed the respective men’s and women’s division 1 league titles.
Clonliffe’s success included no fewer than 9 wins, including first place performances from Rolus Olusa (14.89 in 110mH), Greg Hossenny (18:58.69 in 3k walk), 4x100m team, Johnny Whan (3:59.52 in 1500m), Fintan Kerins (1:57.79 in 800m), Chris Sabanda (10.87 in 100m), Simon Galligan (54.83m in hammer), and Rory Gunning (49.51m in javelin).
It secured an 8th title in a row (no league in 2019) for Clonliffe, continuing their domination which has seen them claim 12 league titles since 2008.
There was a great battle for second and third with Leevale just edging out Nenagh. Several high placings in other events proved vital on a competitive day of action which saw world U20 5th place finisher (long jump) Reece Ademola claim maximum points in the high jump with a clearance of 1.95m
Dundrum South Dublin put in a superb performance to narrowly get the better of Tipperary County in the race for top spot in the women’s premier competition. DSD claimed maximum points in 6 events but also backed up with several other top 3 placings in a consistent display.
Claiming the wins for the Dublin club were Molly Hourihan (1:04.78 in 400mH), Maria McCambridge (10:01.54 in 3000m), Mollie O'Reilly (12.14 in 100m), Molly Mullally (11.29 in triple jump), Anita White (36.55 in javelin), and Emma Roche (26.62 in discus).
Tipperary County pushed DSD all the way but would ultimately have to settle for second place, with Galway County third.
The battle for division 1 honours was just as compelling throughout the day.
The victorious Tir Chonaill (men) team owed much to the performances of their field eventers with Brendan O'Donnell (56.52 hammer), Conall Mahon (13.75 triple jump), and Gareth Crawford (62.73 javelin) all claiming maximum points.
Enniscorthy claimed top spot in the women’s division 1 league final, an achievement made all the more impressive in that it was their first year having a league team.
Impressing for them today was Blanaid Fogarty who claimed a double in the 400m (56.41) and 200m (25.40), as Ciara Mooney (first place in 7:17.63 1500m walk), and Elizabeth Gahan (first in 2:15.12 800m).
Enniscorthy were pushed all the way by Tir Chonaill and Bandon AC.
- Link to provisional results HERE