Connaught Success in All-Ireland Schools tournament

St. Patrick’s De La Salle school, Castelbar, represented Connaught in the under-14 section of the All-Ireland Schools and Colleges Chess Final last weekend, and came second, only very narrowly missing first place.

St. Patrick’s beat the second Leinster school (Munster did not put forward a team to represent them), Clongeal (of Dublin) 5-1; and then the Ulster champions St.Patricks Downpatrick 6-0.  That set up a last round clash for the title with the Leinster champions Gonzaga; only needing 2½ points to win the All-Ireland title, St. Patrick’s unfortunately lost 2-4.  There were the usual tales of what-might-have-been – St. Patrick’s were winning in four games at one point – but coming second, so close to a chess power-house like Gonzaga, is an excellent result for St. Patrick’s and their coach, Brendan McHugh.  We look forward to more from the lads at St. Patrick’s.