In another hotly contested game full of complex fighting John Courtney emerged the victor against Alex Delogu to take his first Irish Championship title. John is only the ninth Champion in the 33-year history of the tournament, and although he has some way to go to match previous multiple winners including Matei Garcia (3), Ian Davis (3), James Hutchinson (4), and Noel Mitchell (16!), he has many years ahead in which to join them.
Congratulations to John on his successful run from the qualifying stages through the Top 8 to the final, dropping only a single game en route to the Championship. Commiserations to Alex who amply demonstrated that he has the sangfroid and skill to compete at the highest levels of Irish go.