The European bridge championships will be played in Salsomaggiore, Italy, next June. The following will represent Ireland in the women's event - 1, P. Ryan, P. MacMahon; 2, P. O'Neill, P. Meehan; 3, H. Dowling-Long, A. M. Horan.
The Republic's first match of the season in the home international championship (Camrose Trophy) will be against Scotland in the Station House Hotel, Dumfries, on January 5th-6th. The team is T. Hanlon, Dr H. McGann, P. Walshe, N. Toibin, Dr G. M. Keaveney, R. Timlin, and non-playing captain, M. Moran.
The International Bridge Press Association annually presents a prize, "The Romex Award", for the best bid auction of the year. From the numerous hands submitted by bridge journalists worldwide, this year's winners were the South African pair, Henry Mansell and Craig Gower.
The exceptionally talented pair, Tom Hanlon and Dr Hugh McGann had the distinction of being shortlisted down to the final four, with an auction they had bid at the European championship in Tenerife last June, and which was submitted by Seamus Dowling, who was covering the event for this newspaper. They chose to bid a successful small slam in clubs rather than the inferior heart slam which their opponents failed to make in the other room.
The 23rd Waterford congress will be held in Jury's Hotel from January 4th-6th. Brochures: Peggy Holden (051-855770). The 34th Cork congress will be in the Trident Hotel, Kinsale, from January 11th-13th. Brochures: Deirdre O'Leary (021-4541128).
A New Year's gala open pairs tournament for women, sponsored by Gerry Kelly, will be run in the Regent, 25 Waterloo Road, Dublin, on January 4th (7.30 p.m.).
If there are sufficient entries prizes will be awarded to all grades from intermediate B upwards. Entries: Bernie Lynch (01-2882435).