M. McMahon – D. O’Sullivan, Armstrong Cup 1956

The recent report on the Glorney Cup 1956 here mentioned that Michael and John McMahon were the first pair of brothers ever to play for the same Glorney Cup team, and that both played for Kevin Barry C.C..

J. J. Walsh’s report on the Armstrong Cup 1955-1956, won by Eoghan Ruadh ‘A’, provided more information:

“Although the Kevin Barry team had an inauspicious campaign in the Armstrong Cup they can nevertheless be pleased at having introduced M. McMahon, a young player, who shows great promise. McMahon, who is still a schoolboy, lost only once at top board, against first-class opposition which included J. J. O’Hanlon, P. A. Duignan, W. Stanton and D. O’Sullivan. His game against O’Sullivan was a neat, though slight affair, and provides a good example of McMahon’s tactical awareness”.

(Irish Times, March 23, 1956 p. 4.)

M. McMahon – D. O’Sullivan, Armstrong Cup 1955-56 (6)
17. ?

From the diagrammed position, the game continued 17. h3 (perhaps 17. f3 is slightly more accurate, when White has a clear advantage) 17… Nh6?? (17… Nf6 18. g4 with advantage to White) 18. Qc1 Qh4 19. Bg5 Qh5 20. Be7, and O’Sullivan resigned three moves later.

[Click to replay the full game.]

Dónal J. O’Sullivan was Irish champion in 1948, and again, after the report above, in 1956 and 1957. Michael McMahon also won against J. J. O’Hanlon in round 2, and either won or drew against P. A. (Paddy) Duignan, Irish champion in 1947, and William Stanton, Leinster champion in 1955, 1956, and 1957. He won against Gerry O’Nolan, brother of Brian O’Nolan (Myles na gCopaleen / Flann O’Brien), and won or drew against Joseph A. Keenan. His one loss was against Alex Montwill of U.C.D..

This was Michael McMahon’s second and last season in the Armstrong Cup. As John McMahon wrote earlier this year,

“His final Glorney game against George Dickson of Scotland in Liverpool was his last game of competitive chess. He entered the Holy Ghost Novitiate in September 1956 and was ordained a missionary priest ten years later. Fr. Michael McMahon CSSp. has spent the last fifty years teaching and preaching in Kenya.” (Three McMahons in Glorney Cup, February 1, 2021.)