The William Brennan Cup is a team event run by the Leinster Chess Union since the 2007/08 season. It is the third tier of the Knockout Cups which are normally held after the end of the Leinster Leagues.

Players initially had to have an ICU rating less than 1500, and to have played for the same team in the leagues to be eligible. From 2023/24 provided players had not played for a different team they were eligible. Teams consist of six players. The cup was named after William Brennan (1915 - 2007) who was a member of Dún Laoghaire Chess Club.

The William Brennan Memorial Trophy

As interest grew the format moved from a knockout competition to a group phase followed by a knockout phase, usually semi-finals and a final similar to that used by FIFA for the world cup. In some years there were many groups, usually of 3 - 4 teams. Players have to be registered with the Irish Chess Union and all matches are rated by the ICU.

Taken from the engraving on the cup, properly called the William Brennan Memorial Trophy [1] and from IRLChess [2].

While the cup was not held in some years possibly due to low entries, the 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled due to Covid restrictions. Although the leagues did not run in 2021/22 the cups did as restrictions were lifted in the spring of 2022.

John Loughran.

Please send corrections and updates to John Loughran on skerrieschess.com/contact.