Eddie O’Connor and the Armstrong Cup 1988-89

The 1988-89 season of the Armstrong Cup turned into a battle between the defending champions, and favourites for the new season, Kevin Barry, versus the previous year’s runners-up, Rathmines.

The background and atmosphere was described vividly by Michael O’Brien in an eight-page article “Clash of the Titans” in the Irish Chess Journal. Rather than attempt to summarise, here is the full article, which is highly recommended:

Clash of the Titans, page 1
Clash of the Titans, page 2
Clash of the Titans, page 3
Clash of the Titans, page 4
Clash of the Titans, page 5
Clash of the Titans, page 6
Clash of the Titans, page 7
Clash of the Titans, page 8

The article includes twelve games, many with extensive annotations, and none of which is currently in the ICU games archive. Three of these featured Eddie O’Connor, and he was on the winning side in each.

O’Connor – O’Mahony, Armstrong Cup 1988-89
36… ?

The first, against Tim O’Mahony of Southern Cross, reached the diagrammed position at the adjournment, though it’s not clear whether this was before or after the sealed move.

An earlier issue of the ICJ reported that Eddie showed up to play off the game by helicopter; really, Black could have resigned without resuming.

[Click to replay the full game.]

The article reported that the “Spectator Sport Award” of round 3 went to the game between Eddie and Joe Noone, “in which, during an insane time-scramble, Eddie left a Rook en prise for six consecutive moves(!!!) before Joe finally spotted it.”

In round 8, Eddie played Herbert Scarry of Phibsboro ‘A’, a crucial match against the team that ended up in third place.

Scarry – O’Connor, Armstrong Cup 1988-89
14… ?

From the diagrammed position, play continued 14… hxg2! 15. Bxh8 Bd6! 16. f4 gxf1=Q+ 17. Kxf1 Qh4 18. Qe2 Qh1+ 19. Kf2 Qxa1 and White resigned a few moves later.

[Click to replay the full game.]

Rathmines led heading into the last round, and played Phibsboro ‘B’, while Kevin Barry played Rathmines ‘B’. Eddie played Ernie McElroy.

O’Connor – McElroy, Armstrong Cup 1988-89
17. ?

From the diagrammed position, he continued 17. Ng5+!, and after 17… hxg5 18. Qh3+ Kg6 19. g4, Black erred with 19… gxf4?, allowing 20. Qh5 mate.

This finish was a pity, as the position after White’s 19th is very interesting. As pointed out in “Clash of the Titans”, Black’s strongest response is 19… Nxf6!. The article considers the possible replies 19. exf6 and 19. Bg3. Which of these should White play, or should he play some other move?

[Click to replay the full game.]

Rathmines won the match 7½-½, while Kevin Barry won theirs by 6½-1½, and so Rathmines became Armstrong Cup champions for the fifth time. “The popular (though unexpected) winners graciously accepted their merited trophy and a new bright dawn rises over the happy land.”

Individual results:
David Dunne 9/11
Adrian McDaid 8½/11
Eddie O’Connor 5½/9
Conor Barrington 6½/9
Michael O’Brien 10/11
Robert Stuart 8/11
Jack Killane 6½/9
Michael Miskelly 7½/9
Colm Darby 4½/8.