GAME OVER: MONOPOLY CONTEST AXED IN SLUMP
Thursday April 09 2009
Another victim has emerged from the slump -- the famous Monopoly Championships.
The world tournament of the popular property board game will not have an Irish entrant this year because of the economic climate.
The devoted bunch of players who were looking forward to taking part in the Irish qualifier have been left disappointed.
"It's like we're being punished yet again for the mess our property market is in by not being trusted to buy Monopoly houses!" said Shane Quilty from Templeogue.
Bankers
"I've loved the game growing up and took part in the previous playoffs. Our top bankers could learn a thing or two about the property market by taking time out to enjoy a game," he added.
Potential contestants were told by Hasbro games that, due to the current economic circumstances, the firm was 'regretfully' not in a position to run an event in Ireland this year.
The world championships are held every four years in a different location, with this year's event due to take place in Las Vegas.
Current Irish champion Anthony Redmond (40), from Swords, was crowned after a nail-biting final against the previous Irish number one, Ekundayo Badmus, in Dublin's Liffey Valley Shopping Centre.
The two Irish titans battled it out, boot against racing car, in a game lasting 50 minutes. As well as winning a cheque for €7,000, Anthony got an all-expenses paid trip to Tokyo where he represented Ireland for the second time at the 12th Monopoly World Championship.
- Conor Feehan
