A high quality field of 88 players competed in the tournament which the Irish Bridge Union used to select two pairs to represent Ireland at the European open championship, scheduled for March 19th-24th in Sorrento, Italy.
The event resulted in John Carroll with Tommy Garvey, and Niall Toibin with Pat Walshe gaining the honours. Each pair received £800.
Leading placings - 1, Carroll/Garvey, 1917 points; 2, Toibin/Walshe, 1879; 3, M O Briain, D Garvey, 1864 (third prize); 4, J Noonan, C.A. Cummins, 1837.4; 5, H Lillis, M McGloughlin, 1837.2; 6, B.J. O'Brien, R Milne, 1818; 7, T.G. Mackenzie, Dr H Campbell, 1800; 8, D Walsh, C Coyne, 1778; 9, T and P O'Neill, 1771; 10, T Hanlon, Dr H McGann, 1756; 11, T Roche, P O Briain, 1750; 12, Dr G.M. Keaveney, R Timlin, 1740.
Sessional winners: D MacAonghusa, D Greenwood; O'Brien/Milne; K De Raeymaeker, A Onishuk. Tralee and Waterford congress dates are January 5th-7th, with the former in the Brandon Hotel (066-7123333), and the latter in Jurys Hotel (051832111).
Tralee programme - Friday (7.30 p.m.), mixed pairs; Saturday, two-session major pairs (2 p.m.), novice pairs (8 p.m); Sunday (1 p.m.), extended session of teams; open pairs throughout. Special rate is £75 pps, for two B&B, one lunch, and one dinner. Entries: Pat Fitzgibbon (066-7139292). Waterford programme - Friday (7.30 p.m.), mixed pairs; Saturday 1.30 p.m.), two-session major, and intermediate B pairs; Sunday, reception (11 a.m.), two-session teams (1 p.m.); open pairs throughout, and novice open pairs on Sunday (7 p.m.) Special rate is £72 for two B&B, and one dinner, pps, with a 10 per cent discount if booked before 19th. Entries: Peggy Holden (051-855770).
A welcome Christmas present would be the Irish Bridge Journal at £8 a year. Orders to Una Walsh, 41 Friars Hill, Bishop O'Donnell Road, Galway, (091526502).
Cork congress, Trident Hotel, Kinsale, January 12th-14th. Brochures: Mairead Healy (0214885474).