Page 82 - The Gonzaga Record 1985
P. 82
team, reputed to have won its section, school's commitment to chess.
included the names of de Bhaldraithe, The years since have seen many
Bergin, and O'Hanlon. triumphs: Leinster Championships at both
In 1976 a small chess club was set up, Minor and Junior levels; individual
meeting on Wednesday afternoons in the tournament victories for club members,
Library. The then second year proved to invitations to represent Leinster at
have several promising players, and a team Interprovincial level.
was entered in the Leinster Junior League, 1982 saw the inevitable establishment of
which did very well, winning its way to the a full Leinster Chess Union club for staff
final. This team included Paul Carron, and past pupils, which has been very
Conal O'Cleirigh, Hugh Brennan, Colin successful, winning the O'Hanlon Cup
Newman, John Waldron, and Mark Carron (Division 4) in 1983; sharing the Ennis
who was only in Prep IV. Shield (Division 3) in 1984; and winning
The success of this team led to the promotion to the Heidenfeld Trophy
formation of a Minor Team (under 14) in (Division 2) for 1985.
the Prep. school, encouraged by their In 1984 the team which won the
teacher Miss Sheila Murphy. This team Under-13 All-Ireland in 1980 repeated the
delighted everyone by winning the Minor feat, capturing the All-Ireland Under 16
Championship, retaining it for two years, trophy, the Irish Life Cup.
and representing Leinster at National Level , Many people have played a part in the
winning the All Ireland Under-13 phenomenal growth of chess in the school.
championship at Belfast in 1980. We have already mentioned Miss Murphy.
The chess explosion amongst the Fr Farquharson and the staff of the Prep
students had repercussions in the staff- school contributed in no small way to the
room, where a chess board became a creation of the Gonzaga Tigers. There must
permanent feature. A very successful outing be a special mention of Fr Dermot Murray
to the Castlebar Tournament in 1978, who, as Headmaster, gave the game such
including an outright win, set the seal on the encouragement. His contribution did not
Junior Chess Champions (I 984) D. Breslin. P. Keelan, J. Kehoe, Mr. G. Murphy, P. Kennedy, R. Phelan, P. Higgins
74
included the names of de Bhaldraithe, The years since have seen many
Bergin, and O'Hanlon. triumphs: Leinster Championships at both
In 1976 a small chess club was set up, Minor and Junior levels; individual
meeting on Wednesday afternoons in the tournament victories for club members,
Library. The then second year proved to invitations to represent Leinster at
have several promising players, and a team Interprovincial level.
was entered in the Leinster Junior League, 1982 saw the inevitable establishment of
which did very well, winning its way to the a full Leinster Chess Union club for staff
final. This team included Paul Carron, and past pupils, which has been very
Conal O'Cleirigh, Hugh Brennan, Colin successful, winning the O'Hanlon Cup
Newman, John Waldron, and Mark Carron (Division 4) in 1983; sharing the Ennis
who was only in Prep IV. Shield (Division 3) in 1984; and winning
The success of this team led to the promotion to the Heidenfeld Trophy
formation of a Minor Team (under 14) in (Division 2) for 1985.
the Prep. school, encouraged by their In 1984 the team which won the
teacher Miss Sheila Murphy. This team Under-13 All-Ireland in 1980 repeated the
delighted everyone by winning the Minor feat, capturing the All-Ireland Under 16
Championship, retaining it for two years, trophy, the Irish Life Cup.
and representing Leinster at National Level , Many people have played a part in the
winning the All Ireland Under-13 phenomenal growth of chess in the school.
championship at Belfast in 1980. We have already mentioned Miss Murphy.
The chess explosion amongst the Fr Farquharson and the staff of the Prep
students had repercussions in the staff- school contributed in no small way to the
room, where a chess board became a creation of the Gonzaga Tigers. There must
permanent feature. A very successful outing be a special mention of Fr Dermot Murray
to the Castlebar Tournament in 1978, who, as Headmaster, gave the game such
including an outright win, set the seal on the encouragement. His contribution did not
Junior Chess Champions (I 984) D. Breslin. P. Keelan, J. Kehoe, Mr. G. Murphy, P. Kennedy, R. Phelan, P. Higgins
74
