2025 Irish Draughts Championships successfully hosted at Limerick's South Court Hotel

THE 2025 Irish Draughts Championships were held at the South Court Hotel in Limerick over the October bank holiday weekend.

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The championship was officially opened by Minister of State for Older People and Housing, Kieran O’Donnell. The championship was won by Nadiya Chyzhevska, the World Ladies Champion from Ukraine, who finished with the most points in the Masters section.

Runner-up was local player, Conor Nee from Clareview, who finished one point behind Nadiya Chyzhevska. Seventeen-year-old Conor Nee, taking part in his third Irish Open, won the award for leading Irish player at the championships.

In third place was Donald Oliphant from Scotland, who finished two points behind the winner. In joint fourth were Patricia Breen, former World Ladies Champion from Carlow, and former Irish Open Champion, Seán O’Driscoll, who lives in Broadford, Co. Clare.

The second tier Seniors section competition was won by Joe Maguire from Dublin. This was Joe’s third triumph in the Seniors section at the Irish Championships. The winner in the third-tier Intermediate section was teenager Seán Breen from Carlow. The youngster was playing in his first Irish Open.

The 2025 Irish Open was staged in memory of local players John Cunningham and Mick O’Shaughnessy, who died during the last few years. Mick O’Shaughnessy’s daughter, Louise, made presentations to the prize winners Monday afternoon when the tournament ended.

The Irish Championships began in 1977 at Castlebar, Co Mayo. Since they began, the championships have been held every year, except 2020 due to Covid restrictions, in various locations around the country. This year was the fifth time this prestigious competition has been held in Limerick.

The Irish Draughts Association, who organised the tournament, is grateful to the management team of the South Court Hotel for their hospitality in accommodating the Irish Open. The Irish Draughts Association would also like to thank the local organising committee for its work raising funds towards the staging of the competition.

The following were the prize winners:

Masters section: 1st Nadiya Chyzhevska (Ukraine), 2nd Conor Nee (Limerick), 3rd Donald Oliphant
(Scotland), Joint 4th Patricia Breen (Carlow) and Seán O’Driscoll (Clare).

Senior section: 1st Joe Maguire (Dublin), 2nd Alex Hall (Derry), 3rd Tom Bryson (Arklow), 4th Keith
Foubister (Scotland).

Intermediate section: 1st Seán Breen (Carlow), 2nd Mick Rattigan (Galway), 3rd Mairéad Breen
(Carlow), 4th Eddie Keenan (Carlow).

The tournament organisers would like to acknowledge the following sponsors who made possible the holding of the Irish Championships; Art Mad - Art Supplies based 35 Johns Street, Limerick, who sponsored the framing and mounting of the commissioned painting prize for the Irish Open Draughts Master’s competition winner. 

Limerick City and County Council, Festivals and Events team support community projects and the local organisations that put them on. Hatters Castle Art Studio by local Limerick artist Frank Bouchier, Hatters Castle Art Class and Studio Frank Bouchier Art Tutor. 

The IDA commissioned Mr Bouchier to donate a one-off bespoke painting to the winner of the Irish Open Draughts championship 2025.

Mike O’Connell's Menswear and Dress Hire, 9 Catherine’s Street, Limerick. Castletroy Coaches – Monaleen Heights, Castletroy, Limerick and JJ Kenneally Jewellers kindly donated the cup presented to Nadiya Chyzhevska the tournament winner.