Ireland's bid for a place in the last 16 of the open championship at the World Bridge Olympiad in Maastricht ended on Saturday, but not without a brave fightback by the Irish team. With three rounds to go, they were seventh in their group, but a daunting 21 points behind fourth-placed Brazil with only four to go through.
In round 15, Gay Keavney, Rory Timlin, Rory Boland and Niall Toibin beat Slovinia 21-9, a result which closed the gap to 12 points. Then, in round 16, Keavney and Timlin, along with Tom Hanlon and Hugh McGann, overcame Croatia 23-7, leaving the leader board as follows: Poland 314; Austria 307; Belgium 297; Brazil 287; Ireland 286; Denmark 282.
In the last round, Austria beat Canada 17-13 and Brazil tipped Denmark 16-14. Ireland's Hanlon, McGann, Boland and Toibin faced Belgium. A tie for fifth place was Ireland's only reward. However, it was the best performance by an Irish team in World or European championships since 1979, when Ireland won the European bronze medals. The merit of the team's performance was endorsed yesterday evening as Belgium led England by 46 after 32 of the 80 boards in the round of 16.
Ireland's women's team of Pat MacMahon, Pat Ryan, Helen Carroll, Jill Kulchycky, Helen Holman and Carol McCarthy, with non-playing captain, Terry Walsh, in their first experience of world-class bridge, found much of the opposition too strong. But they ended with a good 23-7 victory over Spain in the last round.
In the first World Cup for seniors (over 55), Ireland's veterans Joe MacHale, Alex Montwill, John O'Keeffe, Greer McKenzie, Pat Barry and David Jackson, gave some satisfying performances, including a win over gold medallists USA, before finishing 17th of the 24 teams. In this event, MacHale and Montwill were ranked eighthbest pair on the Butler scoring system.
The UCC team of Paul Cotter, Elaine McMahon, Neville Pierce, Sean O'Sullivan, James Greenham and Cynthia Heffron, with joint non-playing captains, Tracey Murphy and Donal Kenneally, finished 20th in the first-ever Universities World Championship.
World Bridge Olympiad qualifying rounds:
Group A: 1, Poland 339; 2, Austria 324; 3, Belgium 316; 4, Brazil 303. Joint 5, Ireland and Denmark 297.
Group B: 1, USA 346; 2, Netherlands 327; 3, Russia 309; 4, Australia 305; 5, Hungary 283; 6, Greece 274.
Group C: 1, England 350; 2, Indonesia 334; 3, Sweden 320; 4, France 311; 5, Israel 303; 6, Germany 299.
Group D: 1, Italy 358; 2, Argentina 335; 3, Norway 325; 4, Iceland 313. Joint 5, New Zealand and S Africa 301 (18 teams competed in each group).
Women's Championship Group A: 1, USA 359; 2, Austria 356; 3, Norway 352; 4, England 347; 5, Chinese Taipei 333; 6, Israel 316; 7, Japan 308; 8, Sweden 306; 19. Ireland 211.
Group B: 1, Germany 373; 2, France 368; 3, Canada 356; 4, Netherlands 344; 5, Poland 329; 6, China 319; 7, Scotland 310; 8, S Africa 299 (20 competed in each group).
Universities Championship: 1, Austria 435; 2, Italy 430; 3, Denmark 377; 20, Ireland 167 (22 teams competed).
Round of 32 after 32 boards Open Championship: Italy 91 Australia 51; Brazil 80 Indonesia 66; Norway 81 Russia 44; Belgium 92 England 46; Iceland 62 Netherlands 34; Poland 78 France 61; Sweden 73 Austria 65; USA 88 Argentina 60.
Women's Championship: Germany 118 Japan 18; China 97 England 56; Sth Africa 75 Austria 53; Canada 106 Sweden 41; Poland 96 Norway 80; France 51 Chinese Taipei 43; Israel 82 Netherlands 60; USA 64 Scotland 59.
The championships continue until Saturday.