The Irish Bridge Union's all-Ireland team championship (Egan Trophy) was played in the Old Boys' Premises, St Malachy's College, Belfast, with the agreed representation of four teams from the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland, and two from the Northern Ireland Bridge Union.
The event was won by the narrowest of margins by T. Walsh, J. Heneghan, M. MacDonagh, and B. Pattinson (C B A I) with a score of 92 victory points.
Last year MacDonagh was also successful, but with a different team. Runners-up were I. Lindsay, R. Burns, A. T. R. Anderson, and D. Greenwood (N I B U) with 91.
The other placings were: 3, T. Roche, B. J. O'Brien, P. Pigot, and T. MacCormac (C B A I), 80; 4, P. Delaney, E. Galligan, P. Kelly, and D. Terry (C B A I), 70; 5, M. Finn, E. Cleary, B. Kirby, and M. Griffin (C B A I), 69; 6, T. G. and M. Mackenzie, J. Ferguson, Dr S. Hall, and I. Hamilton (N I B U), 47.
The programme for the 26th Ballina congress, which will take place in the Downhill House Hotel from July 12th to 14th, is: Friday, wine reception (7 p.m.), mixed pairs (7.45 p.m.); Saturday (2 p.m.), separate major, and intermediate two-session pairs; Sunday, two-session teams (noon), presentation of prizes (8 p.m.).
Open pairs will be run on Friday at 7.45 p.m., on Saturday at 2.30 p.m., and 7.30 p.m., and on Sunday at noon and 4 p.m.
First, second, and third prizes will be awarded in the Howells, and first, and second in the Mitchells.
Tournament directors: Fearghal O'Boyle, and John Mulkearns. Brochures are available from Josie Cawley telephone (096-70055), who will also supply details about hotel, and guesthouse accommodation. The Ballybunion congress will take place in the Golf Hotel from September 13th to 15th.
The honorary secretary, Peg Mullins, of Oakview, Tralee, wishes it to be known that the venue has recently changed hands, and has been completely refurbished. Brochures will be available from her in a few weeks' time.
His many friends among the older generation of the bridge world will mourn the passing of Jimmy Powell who died last week.
For many years a leading CBAI tournament director, he was noted for his droll comments while giving his rulings, and for his dry descriptions of some of the players with whom he dealt on the circuit. May he rest in peace.