The European open pairs championship is scheduled for March 19th24th in Sorrento, Italy. To qualify two pairs for the event, the Irish Bridge Union will run a three-session tournament in the Templeogue Centre, Dublin, on December 9th (1.30 p.m.) and 10th.
Each player must have a registered holding of 15 national points, or the pair must hold 50, with the lower-ranking partner needing a minimum of 7. The successful players will each receive a £400 grant.
Entries close on December 6th for the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland, Kay Downes; and for the Northern Ireland Bridge Union, Alan Hill.
A pairs championship for those over 55 will be run in conjunction with the main Sorrento competition. Those who wish to play - at their own expense - should enter with Ms Downes or Mr Hill before February 1st.
Junior home international, and under 20 championships, Edinburgh, January 27th28th. CBAI trials for both, Regent, Waterloo Road, Dublin, November 25th-26th. Entries: Hilary Dowling-Long (01) 6621791.
Western Region's two-session major pairs championship (Weir Cup), Galway Centre, November 26th (2 p.m.). Open to inter A players upwards. Entries: Una Walsh (091) 526502.
Donegal congress, Abbey, and Central hotels - pairs championships - Major: 1, J Newell, E McCann; 2, W Dukelow, W Mathews; 3, the Rev D O'Doherty, JC Boyle. Sess: D Walsh, C Coyne; A and H Hill. Region: PC Duffy, the Rev J McGonagle. Donegal: P McLoone, C Diver.
Mixed: 1, A Carr, B Mooney; 2, K McCay, P McLoone; 3, M McClure, U Russell. Region: G and P Laird. Donegal: J McGinley, C O'Donnell. Open pairs overall: L Hardy.
Inter A: 1, D Hanna, B Scott; 2, Alice and P Carr; 3, Anna Carr, E McMenamin. Sess: M Walsh, D Geraghty; D Meehan, C Moroney. Region: C Doherty, D Hewitt. Donegal: N Shovlin, J Smyth.
Inter B: 1, J Kearney, J Power; 2, M Kilgannon, M Duffy; 3, D and J Gibbons. Sess: M Vaughan, J Burke-Hehir; J McLaughlin, M Doherty. Region: R Sweeney, A McBride. Donegal: K Greene, A Campbell. Novice: Betty, and Brian McDaid.
Teams - Major: 1, Dr GM Keaveney, M O'Kane, P Byrne, C McLoone; 2, M MacDonagh, E Fitzgerald, D Greenwood, J Furnival; 3, J Conlon, C Richey, H Kane, E Kerrigan. Region: P McLoone, C Diver, P McDaid, J Nugent. Donegal: G Laird, C Brady, D Saville, C O'Donnell.
Inter: 1, B Scott, D Hanna, H McKnight, G Smyth; 2, A Carr, E McMenamin, B Doherty, M Mooney; 3, D Hewitt, C and S Doherty, J Sweeney. Best B: B Stefanini, B Murphy, M Duffy, M Kilgannon. Region: I and P Campbell, F Sweeney, J Gallagher. Donegal: E and N Kee, A Campbell, P McGill.