Gonzaga Classic 2003

by Herbert Scarry (Febuary 2003)

The second in a series of chess events aimed at raising money for charity was held over the weekend of 7-9 February in Gonzaga College, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. Chief organisers were pupils Stephen Boyle, Thomas Kinsella and Andrew Higgins, aided and abetted by eminence grise Gerry Murphy. In all over €2,500 was raised for charity.

Guest of honour was Olympiad hero Sam Collins, who presented his gold medal for the school to display until the end of the year. Sam himself was top seed in the Masters section, but lost to Brian Fitzpatrick in the fourth round. Brian followed up with an exciting win over Simon Jeffares and a last round draw with Tim Harding to clinch first place.

Gonzaga club members fared well in the other sections also: David Murray came joint first in the Major, Graham Neary was third in the Minor, and Rossa Lowry O’Reilly was clear first in the Challengers. The latter two had been the chief organisers of the inaugural event last year.

Masters 1 Brian Fitzpatrick 5/6; 2 Sam Collins 4˝/5; 3-4 Karl McPhillips 3˝/6.

Major 1-2 David Murray, Eric Bennett 5/6; 3-4 Paul Taaffe, Robin Triggs 4˝/6; grading prizes Olivier Peres, Peter Lynch.

Minor 1-2 Darren McCabe, John O’Connell 4˝/6; 3 Graham Neary 4/6.

Challengers 1 Rossa Lowry O’Reilly 5˝/6; 2 John Kelly 5/6; 3 Rory Collins 4˝/6; grading prizes Max Drakeford, Kevin Barry, John Moriarty.

Ladies Prize: Hannah Lowry O’Reilly.

O'Donnell, Kieran (1624) - Lowry O'Reilly, Hannah (1424)
Gonzaga Major, Dublin, 8 Feb 2003, 0-1


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