Category Archives: Players

W. Desmond Taylor 1941-2022

Posted on November 26, 2022 by Sean Coffey

I was sorry to hear of the death of one of Ireland’s most distinguished correspondence players, Desmond Taylor, in August, aged 80. He earned the correspondence chess International Master title in 1998 and the correspondence chess Senior International Master title … Continue reading →

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Michael Basman 1946-2022

Posted on November 6, 2022 by Sean Coffey

I was sorry to hear the news that Michael Basman, ‘by a very long way, the most creative chess player of his generation’ (William Hartston), has died. He tied for first in the 1973 British championship, though lost the playoff … Continue reading →

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The internment of John O’Hanlon

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Sean Coffey

On June 10, 1922, one hundred years ago today, John O’Hanlon, Irish champion since 1913, was arrested in Portadown. A report appeared in the Belfast News-Letter the following Monday (page 5): ARRESTS IN PORTADOWN In the early hours of Saturday … Continue reading →

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Gibson – Doyle, Leinster Championship 1980

Posted on April 4, 2022 by Sean Coffey

Among the many tributes that poured in for John Gibson was one at the Irish Go Association web site, which features a very nice recent photo: The photo’s metadata indicates that it was taken on February 29, 2020. The last … Continue reading →

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John Gibson 1948-2022

Posted on March 16, 2022 by Sean Coffey

I was very sorry indeed to hear of the passing of John Gibson, announced on RIP.ie and the ICU web site. I saw him in September, when he seemed in excellent form in all ways. He was interesting and entertaining, … Continue reading →

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

Posted on November 9, 2021 by Sean Coffey

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. … Continue reading →

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Goetzee – J. McMahon, Heidenfeld Trophy 2016-17

Posted on November 3, 2021 by Sean Coffey

John McMahon’s biography on the Players page here mentions his long association with the Leinster leagues: in the Armstrong Cup with Kevin Barry from 1956-76, and in the Heidenfeld Trophy with Lucan from 2005 onwards. Here is one of his … Continue reading →

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O’Connell’s School, Leinster Schools champions 1957-58

Posted on October 31, 2021 by Sean Coffey

O’Connell’s School, Leinster Schools Champions 1957-58 Front row, L.-R.: W. Davis, John McMahon, Art Coldrick, Paul Cassidy John McMahon sent me the very nice photo above in March, from the O’Connell’s School Yearbook of 1958. That season marked the fourth … Continue reading →

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John McMahon 1940-2021

Posted on October 29, 2021 by Sean Coffey

I was very sorry indeed to hear this morning that John McMahon died yesterday. We have been in regular contact over the past couple of years, mostly over the early history of the Glorney Cup. The history he compiled with … Continue reading →

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(Fr. / Canon) Séamus Cunnane 1929-2021

Posted on October 16, 2021 by Sean Coffey

Canon Séamus Cunnane of Carlow died last week in Cardigan, Wales, aged 92. His name will not be familiar to most readers, as he spent most of his life in Cardigan, where he was a parish priest from 1962 until … Continue reading →

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