Sir, - Football, hurling and racing get plenty of space in the media, but what about minority games? On the bank holiday weekend, in the magnificent setting of Millfield School, Somerset, Gonzaga College of Ranelagh, Dublin won the international Millfield chess tournament (an unofficial schools championship of Britain and Ireland). The team's comprehensive win, by six points over 18 of the best chess-playing schools in the UK and Ireland, reflects great credit on their teachers, Gerry Murphy and David Murray, who also guided a second Gonzaga side to victory in the minor division.
Another Dublin college, St Benildus of Kilmacud, finished runners-up in the intermediate division of the same tournament - an excellent performance since they were without their top player, Michael Dooley, who is currently playing in the World UIP individual championships in Spain.
Another interesting aspect was the co-operation between schools from very different backgrounds. Three Irish schools - St Columb's, Derry, Royal Belfast Academical Institution and St Benildus College - shared a single coach and ferry journey to Somerset.
Here's hoping we will see such harmony in all Irish sports in the future. - Yours, etc.,
Frank Scott, Teacher in charge, St Benildus College, Stillorgan, Co Dublin.