This page contains news which was published on this site in 2008 prior to the start of the 2008/09 season in Sept 2008.

Nov 2008: Sarah Cormican plays for Ireland

Sarah Cormican from Clarenbridge is back from representing Ireland at the senior chess Olympics. There's a short report on this in the Senior chess part of the site but since Sarah is still only 17, I think it deserves a mention here too! Sarah is the first member of the Galway Chess Club to represent Ireland at senior level. Well done!

July 2008: More Galway Internationals

Oissine Murphy from Knocknacarra, John Cormican from Clarenbridge and Billy McKenna from Ballinasloe were selected on the Irish U-12 team to play in the 4-Nations competition in Liverpool.

Sarah and Ruth Cormican from Clarenbridge were selected on the Irish U-18 Girls team to play in the Faber Cup in Liverpool. Sarah has also been selected to play for Ireland's senior women's team in the upcoming chess olympics in Germany - this is the first time a player from Galway has made an Irish senior chess team.

Update: Aug 2008: Both the U-12 and U-18 teams finished runners-up to England. Encouragingly, Ruth Cormican was unbeaten through the whole tournament including an excellent win over the highly ranked England A player. See the full report on the ICU website.

July 2008: Chess Camp for Juniors

Ronan Duke and Ron Cummins held a successful chess camp for juniors in Claregalway Community Centre on July 14-18th last. There were two section with beginners in one and improvers in the second. The week flew and everyone enjoyed themselves and hopefully also learned something new from the week. In the improvers sections, Orla McCann won the tournament in a play-off from Tara Crosby as the girls finished well ahead of the boys! The beginners section tournament was won impressively by Rory Gunning. All participants received certificate of achievement for completing the camp. All enquiries to Ronan at 087-8062384 or by email to ronanduke at gmail dot com.

May 2008:Ballinasloe retains Community Games U-12 and U-16 titles

Congratulations to Ballinasloe who repeated last year's unprecedented feat of capturing the U-12 and U-16 All-Ireland Community Games titles. Here's the report from the Irish Chess Union's Junior Officer:

Two Ballinasloe chess teams travelled to Mosney as reigning champions in both under 12 and under 16 categories. Unlike previous trips to Mosney, this time they would be regarded as favourites. In the under 12 competion Ballinasloe were drawn against St Patricks from Cavan in a straight semi final. Ballinasloe proved too strong for the Cavan team and ran out convincing winners with a 5-0 scoreline. In the other semi final, last years silver medal winners Spa/Muckross from Kerry just edged out new boys Gorey from Wexford by a score of 3-2. The final saw Ballinasloe wrap up two quick wins and when Dylan Connolly made it 3-0 another national trophy was in the bag. Final scoreline 4-1 to Ballinasloe.

The Under 16 competition was an all play all format and again Ballinasloe were drawn against St Patricks from Cavan and again the scoreline was 5-0 to Ballinasloe. The next match was a tense affair against Drumlish from Longford, former winners and last years silver medal winners, and just like last year the match was poised at two games each with one game remaining. This year it was Eoin Moran's turn to be in the hot seat and, in a tense game, Eoin managed to overcome his opponent to seal the victory 3-2. The Gold medal position depended on one more victory against Annascaul/Kerry and it duly arrived with a convincing 4-1 win. Both Ballinasloe teams retain there national trophys and set up the prospect of a possible three in a row in Athlone next year.

May 2008: Galway Juniors Win More All-Ireland titles!

Congratulations to Briarhill National School and Creagh National School which recently won the ChessZ Irish Primary Schools National Finals in the Girls and Boys section respectively.

Congrats to Aoife Murray from Brierhill NS, Galway and to John Cormican from Clarinbridge NS, Co Galway for winning the individual Girls and Boys National titles respectively. Photos below of the Creagh team:

and of John Cormican receiving his title from John Alfred.

 

April 2008: Galway Juniors Win All-Ireland titles!

16-April-2008:

Congratulations to Billy McKenna from Ballinasloe and Dara Murphy from Knocknacarra who recently won the 2008 Irish U-10 and U-19 championships respectively. Well done as well to:

• Oissine Murphy (Knocknacarra) - 2nd in U-12,
• Kenneth Dillon (Ballinasloe)- 2nd in U-19
• Luke Moran (Ballinasloe) - 3rd in U-10
• Jack McKenna (Ballinslow) - 3rd in U-12

Here are some of the victors (L to R Jack McKenna 3rd U12, Billy McKenna 1st U10, Luke Moran 3rd U10.)  Click on pic for the full-size photo.

 

See the full report on the Irish chess union website.