A few years ago any number over 30 foursomes was considered a notable entry for the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland's national team championship (Holmes Wilson Trophy), so it is a remarkable indication of the strides in popularity the game is making that some 66 teams sat down to chase the Zanussi prizes at the Stand House Hotel, at the Curragh.
The winners, who eventually jumped to the front from 58th place after two rounds, were T. Hanlon, Dr H. McGann, R. Timlin, and Dr G.M. Keaveney. They collected an award worth £800 with a score of 274 victory points.
Runners-up were M. O Briain, D. Garvey, J. Carroll, and D. Mac Aonghusa with 265.
For third place, C. Holland, K. Hayes, P. McCarthy, and G. Cummins beat A. Mesbur, N.K. FitzGibbon, D.A. Jackson and P.J. Barry on a split tie, both having scored 264.
The latter won the award for best men's team.
Other prizes - Best women: P. O'Neill, P. Meehan, P. MacMahon, P. Ryan. Mixed: E. Feerick, J. Kenny, J. Godden, C. Flavin.
Master: C. Lonergan, D. O'Donnell, A. Twomey, B. Tucker.
Intermediate: A. Hogan, R. Dunn, S. Donovan, M. White.
Scheduled for March 13th-14th at the Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise are three CBAI national pairs championships - major (Davidson Cup), intermediate A (Laird Cup), and intermediate B (Civil Service Cup). Entries, via qualifying regionally, to Paul Porteous (01-2697275).
The Bankers' bridge congress will be held at 92-93 St Stephen's Green, Dublin, from March 13th to 21st. Entries: Dave Mulhall (01-2984393).
The Fermanagh congress will be run in the Manor House Country Hotel, Killadeas, Enniskillen, from March 19th to 21st. Brochures from Christy Shannon, Lis narick Road, Irvinestown.
Dublin South Region's team championship (Pigot Cup), at Regent - 1, G. Barton, P. Walshe, T. Hanlon, J. Carroll. 2, J. Comyn, B.J. O'Brien, T. Walsh, P. Pigot, D. Mac Aonghusa. Best second session: W. Shanahan, C. O Dalaigh, R. Giddings, S. Stack.