Limerick successfully host 2026 Irish Open Draughts Championships

The event, organised by the Irish Draughts Association local committee, was chiefly sponsored by HDS accountants based in RiverPoint, Limerick. The HDS Irish Open was officially opened by Minister for Housing and Older People Kieran O’Donnell.

This international draughts tournament attracted players from all parts of Ireland, as well as competitors from Scotland, Ukraine and the United States. The participants were battling for Irish titles at Master, Senior, Intermediate and Junior level.

The overall tournament winner of the HDS Irish Open was Eric Strange from Colorado. He led the Masters section from start to finish. Eric lost just one of his sixteen games, which was to former World Ladies Champion Patricia Breen.

Conor Nee from Limerick City and Nadiya Chezhevska from the Ukraine finished second and third, level on points. Conor placed second, based on having a better record in his head-to-head games with Nadiya, the defending Irish Open Champion. Scotsman Donald Oliphant gained fourth place on tie break ahead of local player Seán O’Driscoll after both players finished level on points.

The Senior section was won by Seán Breen from Carlow. Seán had won the Intermediate section of the Irish Open the previous year. Meanwhile, at these championships, two players finished level on points at the top of the Intermediate Section.

These two players, Danny Donegan and Eddie Keenan, also broke even in their head-to-head games. The Intermediate title went to Danny Donegan via tie break. Paídí Breen finished third in the Intermediate section, just one point behind the leaders.

Masters Section: First, Eric Strange (United States). Second, Conor Nee (Limerick City). Third, Nadiya Chezhevska (Ukraine). Fourth, Donald Oliphant (Scotland). Fifth, Seán O’Driscoll (Broadford, Co. Clare). Sixth, Patricia Breen (Carlow). Seventh, Seán Phillips (Newcastle West).

Senior Section: First, Seán Breen (Carlow). Second, Tom Bryson (Arklow). Third, Rory Phelan (Co. Offaly). Fourth, Tom Moran (Co. Westmeath). Fifth, Mairéad Breen (Carlow).

Intermediate Section: First, Danny Donegan (Carlow). Second, Eddie Keenan (Carlow). Third, Paídí Breen (Carlow). Fourth, Ivan Daly (Carlow). Fifth, Phelim Nee (Limerick City).

Junior Section: First, Daniel Daly (Carlow).

Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, and local TD, Willie O’Dea, were on hand to present trophies and prizes to the winners at the end of play on the third day of The HDS Irish Open. The tournament organisers are grateful to the local dignitaries who performed both the opening and prize giving closing ceremonies.

The Irish Draughts Association is particularly grateful to local businesses and individual sponsors who contributed to the cost of hosting the event. Mayor John Moran kindly presented the Irish Draughts Association with a cheque for €1,500, from the mayoral ‘More for Limerick’ program to cover room hire and refreshment expenses over the three days of the tournament.

The local organisers would like to thank the South Court Hotel for providing superb facilities to host the tournament in addition to the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff.

The local players who participated in the tournament would, in particular, like to thank everyone who visited Limerick to compete in the HDS Irish Open. A special word of mention and praise goes to Scotsman Graham Young who referred the tournament and also competed in the Masters section of The HDS Irish Open.

JJ Kenneally Jewellers kindly donated the winning trophy for the Masters overall tournament winner. Olga Lezdina, a participant on the pilot Public Sector Business Administration Traineeship course proudly supported by Mayor Moran, crocheted a beautiful draughts board with pieces for the winner.

Her attention to detail, talent and dedication ensured this unique bespoke tapestry, commissioned for the HDS Irish Open, was completed on time for the draughts championship. Cummins Framing, Catherine Street, beautifully framed the crocheted draughts board that was presented to HDS Irish Open Masters champion, Eric Strange from Colorado USA.

The new Irish Masters Champion, Eric Strange, paid a wonderful complement to the Irish Open tournament, describing it as the biggest competition that he has won in his career to date. Speaking after his win Eric expressed a strong desire to return to Ireland in 2027 to defend his HDS Irish Open title.

This event, which has been played annually since 1977, was being played in the South Court Hotel for the second year in succession, and for the seventh time in Limerick.

To find a full list of Irish Draughts Association sponsors, and information on the world of draughts, along with news of future tournament events, go to www.irishdraughtsassociation.ie or contact Irish Draughts Association secretary John (Sean) Phillips on 087 2529534.