The annual Cork Scrabble tournament was held in the Address Hotel Cork on March 22nd and 23rd 2025.
We had 35 attendees this year, and were particularly delighted to welcome a few new participants, who were playing in their first ever tournament. Irrespective of their final placings, they all approached their games with enthusiasm and energy. We more seasoned players very much hope the “bug” has bitten, and we will see them again at more tournaments in the future.
This year was a grouped tournament and, bringing us into line with current international WESPA and ABSP practice, the 5-point penalty rule was introduced for challenges in Group A games. However, players in Group B were able to still observe the previous practice of free (no penalty) challenges.
Congratulations to all the winners. Group A saw fierce competition for the top slots, with holders of first, second and third spot changing many times over the course of the weekend. In the end, the winner was decided on the very last game and first place was taken by Feargal Weatherhead. In second place was Liam Donnelly, followed by Francis Tabi in third.
In Group B Shane Parkes took first place with Tom Drohan in second place. Third place was taken by David Higgins from Cork in his first ever tournament. The highest word prize went to Ger Hore, who got 94 points for MANAGERS. This year there was also a new prize awarded for the most improved player at the tournament, and this went to Jennifer Colford. Well done to all.
For many of the participants, this was a bittersweet tournament, since it was the first one held without our much-missed friend Finbarr Long. He had started the Cork Scrabble Club, had been instrumental in establishing and supporting tournament-level Scrabble in Cork and, more widely in Ireland, and was himself an accomplished Scrabble player. With the support of Finbarr’s family, the Finbarr Long Perpetual Award was created to honour his memory, and a magnificent piece of artwork crafted in glass by Fermoy-based artist Suzanne O’Sullivan was created especially as the trophy. Finbarr’s wife, Margaret, supported by her children Meadhbh and Eoghan, were on hand to present it to the first awardee and overall winner of the tournament, Feargal Weatherhead. Well done, Feargal!
A special word of thanks to our unflappable and efficient TD Kate, who also acted as unofficial photographer. She quietly went about her business to ensure that the tournament ran smoothly. Thanks too to Jennie who ensures that the ratings are submitted to ABSP and WESPA and that all the information is updated on the website.
Chris Broderick and Darius Bartlett
All the stats from the weekend can be seen here: https://centrestar.co.uk/tsh/2025_Cork/html/index.html
Winner Feargal being presented with the Finbarr Long Memorial Award by Finbarr's family Eoghan, Meadhbh and Margaret
Meadhbh Long and Feargal Weatherhead, winner of the Cork tournament
Liam Donnelly, 2nd Place
Francis Tabi, 3rd Place
Shane Parkes, winner of group B
Tom Drohan, 2nd Place, Group B
David Higgins, 3rd Place, Group B
Jennifer Colford, Most Improved Player Within the Tournament
Ger Hore, High Word Prize
Presentation to Finbarr's wife Margaret
The Cork Gang
