Chess Champions at Community Games Finals in Galway

Tony Lee, Luke Feehily, Aoife Castle, Abdullah Shadid, Cormac Gillespie, Eoin Coleman, Fionnan Darcy, Terry McGGowan with Manager Darren Kelly.

Huge congrats to the Ballinasloe U-13 Chess team, who came away with a gold in the Galway County final of Community Games.

In round one, they defeated last year’s winners Knocknacarra 3.5 to 1.5, and won their semi-final against Clarinbridge and the final against Castlegar by the same scoreline. The team is Luke Feehily, Aoife Castle, Abdullah Shadid, Cormac Gillepsie, Eoin Coleman, Fionnan Darcy and Terry McGowan.

The U-16 side were runners-up in Galway, defeating Athenry 4-1 in the semi final, but losing to last year’s national champions, Claregalway, in the final. The team was; Conor Coleman, Odhran Dooley, Hugh Killeen, Jack Mitchell, Lorcan Darcy and Sarah Jane Ruane.

In the Junior club competitions, the Junior A competition was won by Luke Feehily, with Aoife Castle runner up. The Junior B was won by Fionn Lyons with Cian Madden runner up; and the Junior C was won by Liam Martin with Barry McGowan runner up.

In the Adult club, the last round of the leagues saw both Ballinasloe teams gaining promotion. The A team defeated Royal Lopez from Meath 5.5 – 0.5 to come in as runners-up and confirm their promotion to Division 2 for next season. The B team saw off Naomh Barrog from Killester 3 – 2 and are promoted to Division 4 next season.

The club senior competition has seen Kenneth Higgins defeat club number on Tommy Dunne in the final round for overall victory, Tommy coming in second and Shane Bleahene third with Benjamin Castle winning the grading prize.

In the Rapid play competition, Tommy Dunne won the cup with Kenneth Higgins second. The Shield was won by Seán Guinan from Johnny Dunne and the Plate was won by Aoife Castle from Abdullah Shadid.

One of Ireland’s premier events the Ennis Open took place recently with Johnny Dunne joint winner of the U-14 section.


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