Chess players make all the right moves
June 18, 2012
A DROGHEDA school has scooped a major chess award for the second time in three years, becoming Leinster champions once again.
Scoil Aonghusa was the venue for the Drogheda Primary Schools Chess League final last Thursday. It couldn’t have been a more glorious, sun-drenched day for the Leinster Chess Championship for Irish language primary schools, gaelscoileanna Cúige Laighean.
Scoil Aonghusa was very proud to host the event, which saw schools from ever corner of Leinster travel to compete for the coveted Buanthrofaí Fichille (perpetual trophy) specially designed by Share Holland from Duleek Business Park.
Guest of honour Dr. Gearóidín Uí Laighleis, a well known chess champion in Ireland, appeared during the last round when tensions were high.
At 1 p.m. chief referee Brennan Corrigan counted scores for each school. Children gathered excitedly from all schools to see how they had done. Table drums rolled as the winners were announced.
Scoil Naoimh Pio from Knockcommon, Beauparc, proudly stepped up to receive first prize in the Fola section. It was a tough battle in the Banba section as last year’s winners Scoil Bhríde from Dublin with their star player Ciara (who was famous for already beating a chess master in blindfold chess in the Mansion House in November) hoped to lift the Buanthrofaí Fichille.
However, this was Scoil Aonghusa’s year, Leinster Champions once again having lifted the trophy previously in 2010.
The Rí Fichille (chess king) and Banríon Fichille prizes were lifted by two proud Scoil Naoimh Pio children.
A very special thank you has been extended to Naoise Ní Cathláin from fifth class in Scoil Aonghusa and Brendan Corrigan who worked tirelessly with Úna O Boyle to make sure everything went smoothly during the tournament.
– ALISON COMYN
DROGHEDA INDEPENDENT
