Report of the Junior Selection Committee 12th February 2015
The ICU junior selection committee (JSC) has been requested by the ICU executive to select a group of juniors for training with a view to enhancing the prospects for Irish juniors in the forthcoming junior international competitions during 2015 and beyond.
The selection is based on the January 2015 ratings list or equivalent*.
The ICU has formed a panel of trainers and top players including GM Alex Baburin, FM David Fitzsimons, FM Colm Daly, FM Stephen Brady and Darko Polimac to assist the selected juniors.
The first two sessions are confirmed at the Hilton Hotel Kilmainham, Dublin on
- March 1st
- March 22nd
Dates for the other sessions are scheduled in Dublin for
- April 26th
- May 10th
- May 24th
- June 14th
All selected juniors must be paid up members of the ICU and should contact ICU Junior Officer, Desmond Beatty, at to confirm their participation or otherwise by Friday February 20th.
The ICU has requested a contribution of €90 from each participant for this training payable via the (ICU Shop). Alternative payment methods can be arranged by contacting the ICU Treasurer Chris Sheridan at .
Juniors are reminded that training squad selection does not guarantee any selection for Irish junior teams or events. Selection of participants in the Glorney Gilbert International will, as in previous years, be based on the May published ratings and per the junior selection criteria as amended at the 2014 AGM. Please note that these criteria include the need to play in one of four specific events. The next such event is the Irish Junior Championships in Blanchardstown, Dublin, April 10th -12th.
All players seeking to play for Ireland must have Ireland as their FIDE federation. Please note that a player who is Under 14 or Under 12 and has a rating that is high enough to qualify for the Under 18 Open team will be offered a place on the Under 18 Open team. More information on selection for the Glorney Gilbert and other junior international events will be published in due course.
Any questions on the work of the junior selection committee should be directed to the chairman, Daniel Lynch, at
The ICU wish to thank the Management of the Hilton Hotel Kilmainham for providing an excellent venue free of charge, for the third year in a row.
U18 Open selection for training
| Name | Rating |
|---|---|
| O'Donnell, Conor | 2148 |
| McGovern Leahy, Cian | 2006 |
| Byrne, Alex | 1791 |
| Mulligan, Scott | 1765 |
| Minnock, Eoin | 1760 |
| Keating, Geoffrey | 1716 |
| Li, Henry | 1716 |
| Maher, Conor | 1701 |
| Hughes, Padraig | 1700 |
| O'Gorman, Tom | 1698 |
U18 Girls selection for training
| Name | Rating |
|---|---|
| Mirza, Diana | 1637 |
| O'Gorman, Alice | 1409 |
| Manojlovic, Anastasija | 1314 |
| Hearne, Catherine | 1281 |
| Walsh, Anjali ) | (NWSRS) 1270* |
| Ni Mhuireagain, Eibhia | 1143 |
| Bolger, Katherine | 863 |
U14 Open Selection for training
| Name | Rating |
|---|---|
| Higgins, Michael | 1684 |
| Scallan, Fiachra | 1473 |
| Beatty, Ross | 1470 |
| Redmond, Joshua | 1437 |
| Haque, Mustakim-Ul | 1353 |
| Halpenny, David | 1351 |
| Gallagher, Matthew | 1345 |
| Kildea, Robbie | 1344 |
| Melaugh, Shane | 1312 |
| Burke, Killian | 1282 |
| Devilly, Sean | 1224 |
| Onslow, Alfie | (ECF) 152* |
U12 Open selection for training
| Name | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dwyer, Daniel | 1618 |
| Haque, Muhtarim-Ul | 1276 |
| Murphy, Adam | 1227 |
| Hunter, Sean | 1034 |
| Melaugh, Gavin | 973 |
| Ferguson, Dayna | 878 |
| Mulligan, Alex | 870 |
| Naughton, James | 851 |
| Fitzgerald, Niall | 847 |
| Ruchko, Denis | 843 |
| Thomas, Johan | 826 |
| Higgins, Stephen | 805 |
| Onslow, Teddy | (ECF) 114* |
| Walsh, Ciaran | (NWSRS) 1380* |
*Note: Equivalent ratings used for those seeking full ICU ratings before May 2015. Applies to junior coaching squad selection only. Equivalent ratings are NOT used for international selection – see junior selection criteria.