The Irish Bridge Union will hold trials in Dublin to select teams for the European open, and women's championships, which take place in Salsomaggiore, Italy, next June 16th-30th. Depending on entries, the dates for the trials are December 7th to 9th, and 14th to 16th.
Open test: All players must hold a minimum of 60 national points or have won 25 during the last three years. One team may be exempted straight through to the semi-finals.
In the qualifying round, competing sides will play direct matches against all others on the first weekend, and either three or four of them will go forward to the semi-finals. After the final, the third pair will be selected by the international committee in consultation with the successful team.
Women: Each player must hold a minimum of 30 national points or have won 16 during the last three years. The Butler system will be used throughout and the leading three pairs will represent Ireland.
Entries in writing, plus a fee of £75 from each player, must reach, for the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland, Kay Downes, or for the Northern Ireland Bridge Union, Alan Hill before November 26th.
The CBAI's national masters pairs championship will be decided over two sessions at the Malahide Centre, Co Dublin, next Saturday, at 1.30 p.m. The event is open to players of the master grade upwards. Entries to Paul Porteous at 01-492 9666.
The Tralee international congress, which was to have been held in January, has been postponed until February 1st-3rd. Details from Pat Fitzgibbon at 066-713 9292).
The Donegal congress, in the Abbey and Central hotels; pairs - Major: 1, C. Coyne, D. Walsh; 2, D. Ellis, J.J. Doherty; 3, S. Dowling, M. MacDonagh. Sessionals: M. and G. Mackenzie; A. Moran, P. Kerins. Regional: J. Gallagher, C. Whyte. Local: M.B. McLaughlin, B. Mooney.
Intermediate A: 1, T. Dolan, A. O'Brien; 2, N. Shovlin, J. Smyth; 3, P. Love, M. Rafferty. Sessionals: D. Doherty, J. Sweeney; N. Crumlish, N. MacGabhann. Regional: S. Burke, B. Cunningham. Local: J. McLaughlin, J. O'Sullivan. Intermediate B: 1, K. Maher, M. Kilfeather; 2, J. Burke, M. Gannon; 3, A. and J. Bergin.
Sessionals: O. Gilmore, M. Crowley; R. Cromb, F. Greer. Regional: M. Duffy, M. Kilgannon. Local: M. Kelly, A. McLaughlin. Novice: P. Doherty, E O'Sullivan.
Mixed: 1, E. McNicholl, B. Sargent; 2, J. Comyn, J. Kulchycky; 3, P. Concannon, L. Hardy. Intermediate A: S. and A. O'Rourke. Regional: A. Carr, B. Mooney. Local: D. O'Doherty, F. Sweeney.
Teams - Major: 1, B. McHugh, H. Curran, M. and S. Doherty; 2, (tie), F. Sweeney, C. McLoone, P McDaid, J. Nugent, M. Burke, E. Gallagher, C. Coyne, D. Walsh; 4, F. Sproule, M. Hickey, C. Flavin, M. O'Shaughnessy. 2nd sessional: Dr S. Hall, Dr H. Campbell, M. and G. Mackenzie.
Regional: C. Whyte, J. Gallagher, J.J. Doherty, D. Ellis. Local: D. O'Doherty, J.C. Boyle, J. McGinley, C. Diver.
Inter: 1, R. and E. O'Shea, P. Dowd, D. Reid; 2, S. and A. O'Rourke, L. and B. O'Reilly; 3, S. Newcomen, A. Hodgers, E. Tierney, T Lawlor; 4, J. McLaughlin, S McNutt, E. Hegarty, M Doherty. 2nd sessional: P. Johnston, P. Pyper, G. Smyth, H. Mc- Knight. Regional: A. Carr, E. McMenamin, M. Mooney, D. Doherty. Local: J Gallagher, P. McGill, M McCauley, M. Dawson.