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Well another season over and what an up and down ride it was too. Speaking as Captain of the Heidenfeld team I must congratulate everyone who played for us and managed to keep us in the division. From Thomas who got us a point from a walkover to Eamonn with his %100 record for us, from Adrian and Michael to the epic efforts of top scorers Tristan and Pearse, yet again the depths and strength of our club has served us well and done us proud. To be honest, I was not relishing the thought of Captaining the Heidenfeld team this year. It seemed somewhat of a poisoned chalice. After losing two quality players in Liam Porter and Sean Murphy and two fine players in Karl Dowling and Christy Spellman it seemed that on paper anyway our fate was sealed and destiny preordained as far as division status for the following year was concerned. Yes the Ennis shield loomed large. However, I was forgetting one very important thing. We are INCHICORE. Every player without exception played above their station. Likewise every match we went out for we were the underdog. Winning two of our last four matches proved the spirit within this club when the odds were clearly against us. As usual Inchicore and it's players gave everything it and they had to ensure a proud end to a procarious season. We even managed to finish fourth from bottom a mere one and a half points behind the mighty Kilkenny. Not a bad ending to a season that started badly. Considering that by mid January we had played seven matches, drawn three and lost four, we can be very proud of our run-in and achievement. Yes, a season that could have ended in disaster leaves us with a sense of accomplishment and pride. Pride in playing for Inchicore. Our goal this season of consolidation for our O'Hanlon and Heidenfeld teams has been fulfilled. Congratulations to the O'Hanlon team on their fantastic achievement. So, onwards and upwards. What of next season? We need a couple of players at least if our ambitions to reach the Armstrong and Ennis division are to be realized. I might stress that it's the ambition of the O'Hanlon team to be playing in Ennis Shield the season after next, not the ambition of the Heidenfeld team! So if you're an opposition club player reading this and would like to join our capable and ambitious, yet very social club. Just come down to our club any Thursday evening. Maybe you live locally but just always played for another club, we don't mind if you're tarnished, if you can play, you give it your best and are a club player, you're always welcome in Inchicore Chess Club. Again, congratulations to all players at the club, from the young to the old, from the good to the no so good (you know who you are). Congratulations on the past year and good luck for next year. Darragh |
