The first Connaught secondary schools chess championships had 10 schools competing for the title of “Connaught Kings of Chess” .. with the finals played in Castlebar on Wednesday 8th April.
Here St. Geralds team captain (Jack Kelly) holds the perpetual trophy flanked by team mates Evan Doyle, Dara Ludden and Ammar Janjua. The Castlebar “B” team came in 2nd place ..
edging past St. Mary’s of Galway (3rd place) in a semi-final blitz play-off .. 
.. the level of play was very good with many games being decided by endgame technique. Colaiste Bhaile Clair (in their 1st year as a secondary school) completed the final line up (as a late replacement for a very experienced Garbally college team) and will have gained invaluable experience for next year and future competitions.
Special thanks to all the team managers (teachers). And the players who were a hugh credit to their schools .. playing in a spirit of mutual respect and fairplay. In this aspect of the competition everyone wins.
click on the ICU logo for details of this w/e Irish Junior championship .. hope to see a strong turnout from Connaught :o)
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