"Munster" payout
The New Year was heralded in by two chess tournaments at opposite ends of Ireland; the Ulster Senior Championship in Belfast from 30th December to 2nd January and the 16th Mulcahy Memorial in Cork from 19th December to 1st January.
By permission of the committee of Fortwilliam Golf Club, the Ulster Senior was held for the third year in their attractive clubhouse. Ulster champions, pending a possible playoff, were Michael Smyth, last year's winner, and Tom Clarke, on 6 points out of 7. David Houston and Keith Allen tied for third place on 4½ points ahead of Arthur Cootes, William Collins and grading prize-winner John O'Doherty. The 16-strong entry was disappointing.
Ireland's biggest-ever cash prize of £IR380 was presented by Professor Maire Mulcahy at the Lee Maltings, UCC to Cork's Philip Short after his last round win, (see below), over Colm Barry. This "Munster" prize-money attracted two English FIDE masters to Cork, but Short's victory was a "filip" to Irish chess. 15 of the 82 players won prizes.
Results
- P. Short 5½ pts
- K. Arkell (Rugby), R. Britton (Hull), C. Barry, C. O'Shaughnessy 5 pts
- G. McElligott, M. Kennedy, P. Carton, C. Russell 4½ pts
under 18 : J. O'Keefe 4 pts
Grading prizes:
- Senior: W. Rea, R. O'Donovan 4½ pts
- Intermediate: J. Kelly 4½ pts and M. Ni Siochru 4 pts
- Junior : J. Hussey 4 pts
