International
Competitions
Although we have taken part in only a few International
competitions, this is mainly due to various reasons, price, time, absence
from school, and travel. However, we have proved successful in what we
have played abroad, and set ourselves firmly on the international mark.
This page shows the results of our school's international
competitions.
Latest
Results
Millfield
International Chess
Tournament
2002
Once
again we were off to Millfield to defend our title which we so much deserved
the year before. We departed on the 19th of October at the early time of
5am at Kent station. A train trip, boat trip, three more train trips, and
a short taxi trip later, we arrived in Glastonbury. This time, it didn't
look as foreign to us.
The
hotel rooms were organized, and as the lads were getting used to their
surroundings once again, D.J. O' Donoghue, David McCarthy and Ronan Leydon
went on their rounds, giving the lads some final advise on every aspect
of the competition. The journey had taken it's toll and for once, Jamie
had an early night. Many stayed up, getting to know more Openings and Mid-Games,
but not for long.
The
next day saw the start of the tournament, and two qualifying rounds. The
team was as good as ever, and we were placed as the highest seed in the
Major section, with Gonzaga coming in second behind us. We knew that with
around ten extra teams this year, we had a harder task on our hands.
The
first two championship rounds went ok for us, but and at the end of the
first day, we were in fourth place, and a small hill had to be climbed
before we had any chance at the title again. That night, many of us enjoyed
the luxury of Millfield's Olympic sized swimming pool before going back
to our hotel. Day two, and the team played as good as any top team. But
still, after the penultimate round, we were three and a half points behind
the leaders Gonzaga, and looming down in 3rd place. But our final opponents
were the leaders, and we needed a score of 8-4 against them, something
that we had never ever achieved against them. In the end we lost overall,
but with a final round score of 7.5-4.5, we still gained some pleasure
of beating the champions (it should be known that we beat them in the All-Irelands
in 2002). Three lads won individual "Best Board" trophies. They are Cian
O' Riordan, Ian Lyne and Tim Healy.
C.S.N.
did however come away with one victory. Our substitute player, Michael
Mulhall, entered into the Reserves tournament, and won it in the last round.
Congratulations to him.
That night, we
were in high spirits and enjoyed the rest of our stay in the peaceful town.
The trip home was thankfully better than last year, with us missing just
missing one train. The boat trip was fine. This time no-one got sick.
The
team of twelve were:
Board 1:David McCarthy
Board 2: Maurice
O' Donoghue
Board 3: Cian O'
Riordan
Board 4: Ken Rea
Board 5: Jamie
O' Donovan
Board 6: Stephen
Forde
Board 7: Ronan
Leydon
Board 8: Ian Lyne
Board 9: Cian O'
Maghony
Board 10: Daniel
Murphy
Board 11:Tim Healy
Board 12: Donagh
Healy
Reserve: Michael
Mulhall
I'd
like to thank Br. Sean for taking care of the team and being such a helpful
and kind person to everyone on the trip. I'd also like to thank D.J. O'
Donoghue for coaching the side this year. He gave us that little bit of
spirit to help us come back to finish second. Finally, I'd like to thank
Millfield College and the owners of the hotel for giving us an enjoyable
and memorable trip. No doubt, we will be back next year to regain our title.
Ronan Leydon.
