Balbriggan were crowned Premier Champions after their scheduled clash with Phoenix was washed out on Saturday.

It completed a remarkable fairytale season for Andre Botha's side who defied the sceptics to lift the coveted trophy in their first season in the top flight, following up their Championship win in 2021.

Few outside Jack Harper Park would have tipped the Fingal team for the top prize in Leinster cricket, but there's no doubt the accolade was fully deserved, as they beat all the seven teams in the division at least once.

They hit the front early and kept their noses in front despite challenges at times from cricketing heavyweights Merrion and The Hills.

The belief gained from victories over a full-strength YMCA, and in chasing over 300 to defeat Merrion saw confidence grow and they are no doubt worthy champions.

It was clearly a very proud Head Coach Andre Botha who paid tribute to all those who had made the title possible.

"I still can’t get my head around on what we have achieved the last couple of years," said Botha.

"I have to take my hat off to everyone involved in a (at the moment) small club. "The work rate and commitment from the players was absolutely unbelievable. I want to thank everyone behind the scenes that made our lives a lot easier especially the volunteers that work on the ground that will prepare a practice wicket for us at the drop of a hat," added the former Irish international.

"I am also realistic and well aware that there was a lot of clubs that missed a lot of their players through provincial and international duty during the season in a very strong Leinster league but we still had to win the games regardless. Again congratulations to all involved."

First team captain Greg Ford echoed the sentiments of the Coach, also paying tribute to the stars both on and off the field.

"We aren’t taking for granted what we have achieved, coming in as underdogs in an impressively competitive league to win it means a lot to both myself and the club as a whole," began Ford.

"A great deal of credit needs to go to the administrators behind the scenes doing all they could to create the platform for an excellent team environment.

"Without many superstars to rely on, our ‘Balbriggan family’ mentality was imperative to our success with each and every player putting in a winning performance at some stage during the season."

The final words go to club stalwart Albert Harper, who outlined just what the success means to a club such as Balbriggan, and all those great servants through the years who laid the foundations for the success of the last few years.

"It is a remarkable achievement for the Club in its first year at this level and it has been a whole club effort, inspired by their Head Coach, Andre Botha," said Harper.

"Andre first started coaching with the club in 2021 and they won the Championship, and to go on this season and win the Premier League with a weekend to spare, is a remarkable coaching achievement for a very humble coach.

"The players have 100% bought into Andre's coaching structures and they have all shown that they belong at this level and higher.

"The winning of a Premier League just doesn't happen overnight and the club at this point have many stalwarts but it is those who have preceded the present members, people of the calibre of Jack Harper, Frank Guildea, Hughie Reilly, Jack Reid, Ivan Harper, David Harper, Jimmy Purcell, Franny Hogan, Colm Reilly and many more that set Balbriggan on the path to winning the Premier League.

"Their efforts in building the club to where it is today, will always be held dear in our history. We feel very proud to join the illustrious list of clubs to win the Premier League and look forward to many more seasons competing against these magnificent teams. It is a very humbling feeling to now sit atop of the Premier League having won it."