Hall of Fame

 

Past Irish Open Champions

Held each autumn, the Irish Open Backgammon Tournament is the highlight of the backgammon year on the island of Ireland. The contest is open to all comers and always attracts some top-class names, from both Ireland and the UK as well as further afield.

Do you think you can add your name to this list of past champions? Visit the events page and sign up for the next Irish Open now!

1
YearChampionNationality
2
2023Claudia GoehnertNetherlands
3
2022Sean CaseyIreland
4
2021John PlummerUK
5
2020Stuart MannUK
6
2019Jon BarnesUK
7
2018Simon JonesUK
8
2017Rune FarevaagNorway
9
2016Jonathan O'GradyIreland
10
2015Jamie DegabrieleMalta
11
2014Dave PritchardUK
12
2013Brian LeverUK
13
2012Paul O'KellyIreland
14
2011Viadas NovicenkoLithuania
15
2010Marc TurnerUK
16
2009Felix VinkNetherlands
17
2008Allen ChristiansenDenmark
18
2007Jacob AndersonDenmark
19
2006Brian BarberUSA
20
2005Adrian JonesUK
21
2004John SlatteryUK
22
2003Graham PowellUK
23
2002Jim JohnsonUK
24
2001Brian LeverUK
25
2000Sean CaseyIreland
26
1999Sean CaseyIreland
27
1998Peter OzanneUK
28
1997Tim CrossUK
29
1996Rick JanowskiUK
30
1995Paul TurnbullUK
31
1994Alan Lennox-SmithUK
32
1993Mike EllerbyUK

Irish National Championship - online (WBIF)

Held from June 1st each year, this tournament is a test of stamina and consistency for players. Participation is open to all players based in Ireland or Irish players living abroad. Registration open until 30th May each year. Click here for further details

1
YearWinner
2
2024Sean CaseyDublin
3
2023Vaidas BudrysDublin
4
2022Darryl ArttBelfast
5
2021Ciaran TierneyDublin
6
2020Derek MurphyDublin

 In Memoriam

Dave Coyne Backgammon

Dave Coyne

1953 - 2006

Liz Perry

2014

Dama Cunningham

1958 - 2022

Dama was introduced to backgammon while holidaying in Greece. He brought his love for the game back to Ireland. He set up a club in Sandycove in the mid-2000s. The Dublin South Backgammon Club still meets regularly in Fitzgerald’s pub. Dama had a great way of making new people feel welcome and this was the secret to the club’s success. Dama directed the Irish Open from 2013 to 2019. He managed to revive interest in the tournament, both among local and overseas players. On a personal level, Dama continued to enjoy playing backgammon at home and on his yearly trips to Greece. He was particularly proud of the blue and white colours on his board, representing his birth county, Waterford. The backgammon community in Ireland is forever grateful to Dama for his great contribution to Irish backgammon.