Chess players make the right moves
TH ERE WERE plenty of concentrated faces in Gorey last week for the 27th County Wexford Primary School chess jamboree.
The event was hosted by St Joseph’s Primary School and chess trainer Brid Cleary. The event was presented by Eamonn Barrett, retired principal of Piercestown National School, who founded the competition which was previously known as the Chess Challenge.
Teams of six children from all over the county competed against each other over three rounds to see who would emerge victorious.
There are two sections in the jamboree, junior (up to fourth class) and senior (fifth and sixth class).
Over 120 children played a number of tense, exciting games of chess during the competition.
Nine teams competed in the senior section with Bunscoil Ris in New Ross coming in first position. Piercestown NS were second while Kilanerin NS were third.
In the junior section there were eleven teams competing. This was won by Piercestown NS. Second and third place went to two different teams from St. Joseph’s NS, Gorey.
Gorey town was very well represented in the competition with Bunscoil Loreto and Gaelscoil Mishilog taking part annually.
Organiser Brid Cleary said there was a super atmosphere during the jamboree and afterwards everyone enjoyed refreshments which were provided by St Joseph’s Parents’ Council led by Marie Noctor and Aoife Roche. The parents of the St Joseph’s chess players also provided refreshments.
Brid paid special thanks to secretary Geraldine Martin and caretakers Jackie and Alan Cushe for setting up the chess rooms. She also paid tribute to Wexford Chess who were arbitrators on the night and provided the medals to the six winning teams.