Leinster Leagues
The 2025 / 2026 Leinster Chess League season kicked off in September. Knights of Éanna are defending division one Armstrong Cup champions.
2025/26 Season
In the 2025/2026 league season KoE will be fielding the following teams:
Division 1 - Armstrong Cup
Division 3 - Ennis Shield (2 teams)
Division 4 - O'Hanlon Cup
Division 6 - Bodley Cup Central (3 teams)
Club Successes
Knights of Éanna enjoyed a breakout year in the 2024/2025 season. The club captured its first Armstrong Cup title, division 1 of the Leinster Chess Leagues and the oldest continuously running league competition in the world, dating back to 1888.
The Armstrong team also completed a historic double, joining an elite group of clubs to win both the Armstrong and the Branagan Cup in the same season.
In addition, our BEA team (Division 5 of the Leinster Chess Leagues) secured the club’s first BEA title and earned promotion, rounding off a landmark year for Knights of Éanna.
2025/26 Captains
Armstrong:
Derek Smith
Ennis A:
Dylan McBrien
Ennis B:
Adam Bermingham
O’Hanlon:
Paul Greenan
Bodley A:
Isaac Kennedy
Bodley B:
Aidan Kennedy
Bodley C:
Joe Brennan
League Cups
The Leinster Chess Union also runs three summer cup competitions, typically held in June and July.
The Branagan Cup is for players who competed in divisions 1 and 2. The Killane Shield, named after club member and Rathmines legend Jack Killane, is for players from division 3 and below. The William Brennan Cup is for players under a certain rating threshold, usually around 1700, at the start of the competition.
At Knights of Éanna, we enter teams in these cups based on player interest. If you’re keen to participate at the end of the season, be sure to let your captain know!
FAQ
How can I join a team?
You can join any of our teams by coming down to the club and expressing interest. We will place you on a team appropriate to your level.
Do I need to be an ICU member to play?
Yes, you need to be a fully paid up ICU member in good standing to play on a team.
Where can I find the league rules?
You can find all details of the leagues on the Leinster Chess Union website.
Where can I see my team’s league calendar?
You can find your leagues calendar by clicking your team name on each divisions league table page and also on our club calendar on this website. Each of our teams calendars will also be posted on the club notice board. Ensure you always confirm game dates and times with your captain as the calendar is subject to change based on player availability.
Do I need to record my moves during games?
Yes, league games are ICU rated and FIDE-rated in the higher divisions. As per the laws of chess you are required to record your moves. If you don’t know how do not worry, we will teach you!
Where will my games take place?
Games will take place either Home or Away. Home games will take place during our club night and away games in the other clubs club night. Weeknight games will take place at 7:30pm for divisions 4 and below, and 7:15pm for divisions 3 and above. Games will sometimes take place on Saturday at 2:30pm also.
Am I required to play every game on the calendar?
No, while we encourage players to play as much as possible you are not required to play every game. As club policy we try to ensure there are extra players on every team panel to ensure we always have a full team for every match.
