[Not a valid template]In a big day for the North, when Ulster clubs at Tullamore won all four titles, North Down won the Mens” Premier Division of the National League newly re-named as the Hibernian League and with it the right to represent Ireland in Europe. In a similar arm wrestle to a year ago, North Down were pushed to the wire, this time by Clonliffe Harriers but this year the result was reversed. North Down scored 126 points with Clonliffe on 121, a big score for a team finishing in the runners – up spot. The Womens” Premier Division was retained by Abbey while in Division 1 City of Lisburn and Shercock won the Womens” and Mens” titles.
[Not a valid template]North Down used just the one guest athlete, Paul McKee of Beechmount who made a big contribution by winning 100m and 200m in 10.76 sec and 21.36 sec as well as anchoring the 4 x 100m. Other individual firsts came from Luke Reynolds in 110m hurdles (15.50 sec), Brendan McConville in pole vault (4.50m), Tom Reynolds at high jump (1.85m pb) and Michael McConkey at javelin (55.65m) while Tom Reynolds, Brendan McConville, John Saulters and Paul McKee won 4 x 100m in 42.71 sec and John Saulters, Brendan McConville, Tom Reynolds and Michael Dyer won 4 x 400m in a new club record of 3:22.10.
Seconds were achieved by John Saulters at 400m in a pb and new club record of 49.31 secs, Michael Dyer in a brutally physical 800m with 1:59.42, Brendan McConville off his now-recovering damaged leg at long jump with 6.33m and Jeremy Harper at discus and shot with 43.96m and 13.69m. Only two thirds were required to complete the scoring quota of 15 events and they were available from Francis Marsh at 5000m (16:58.14), Tom Reynolds at triple jump (13.02)m, Aaron Stirling at hammer (37.38m) and Paul Kirkpatrick with a pb of 5.84m at 56lbs for distance. Alex Donald and James Budde were 4th at 3000m steeplechase and walk and Captain Kris Lockhart was 5th at 400m hurdles with a pb of 62.88 sec. The only event not covered was the 1500m where James Budde did not start due to a cold but managed the 3000m walk with 16:58.14.