THE European open bridge pairs championship will be played in The Hague from March 18th to 23rd.
To automatically select two pairs the Irish Bridge Union will run a qualifying tournament over three sessions on November 30th-December 1st in the Greystones, Centre, Co Wicklow, starting at 1.30 pm.
The maximum allowed to compete will be 48 pairs. In the event of the entry exceeding that figure, those partnerships with the combined highest national point hold[ing will gain preference. Each player must have a registered holding of 15 points, or the duo a combined holding of 40, with the lower ranking partner having a minimum of seven.
A grant of £400 will be given to each player capped. Entries to Marie Gleeson, Alan Hill, or Paul Porteous at 01 269 7275, before November 28th.
The Contract Bridge Association of Ireland's national mixed pairs championship for the Coen Trophy, decided over three sessions in the Greystones Centre, resulted in a win for R. O'Keeffe, T. Garvey, J. Carroll, and H. Dowling Long with a score of 141 victory points. Runners up were Prof Alex and Ann Montwill, R.J. Fitzgerald, and V. Hand with 133. Third prize went to J.H. and A. O'Keeffe, P. Kelly, and W.F. Maclachlan with 132. J. Comyn, J. Kulchycky, T. Walsh, and H. Carroll took the prize for the best final session. Some 20 teams competed.
National intermediate A pairs championship (New Ireland Trophy), multi venue, heat results - Cork: 1, L. Ahern, M. White; 2, M. Clancy, M. Hayes; 3, J. Kelly,
C. Treacy. Sessional winners: M. Anderson, B. Mackey; T. O'Sullivan, S. Flavin.
Dublin (Churchtown): 1, L. Gaynor, J. Riordan; 2, M. Keating, M. Slattery; 3, V. Burke Moran, C. Hughes. Sessionals: B. Lynch, S. Hoban; C. O'Driscoll, K. de Raeymaeker.
Ennis: 1, J. and A. O'Shaughnessy; 2, M. Whyms, U. Bennett. Sessionals: M. Liddy, J. Brigdale; K. Scanlan, B. Wilmott.
Mullingar: 1, B. Morris, A. Seery; 2, C. Maher, P. Seery; 3, M. Forde, P. McCartin. Sessionals: P. and M. Finnerty; B. Peterson, J. Carey.
Slane: 1, A Breen, C. O'Gorman; 2, K. O'Sullivan, P. Lyons.
Tuam: 1, M. Kilduff, M. Cunningham; 2, M. Loughnane, T. McLoughlin. Sessionals: E. Mortimer, M. McHugh; C. Costelloe, I. Langan.
Wexford: 1, D. Boyle, K. Carew; 2, J. Ashdown, R Nolan.
Sessionals: F. McManamy, M. Cronin; K. King, M. Kent.
National novice pairs (Waterford Crystal Trophy) heats - Cork: 1, D. O'Neill, J. Hanlon 2, C. Heffron, T. O'Connell 3, E. Kelly, F. Heffernan. Mullingar: 1 M. O'Connor, K Traynor; 2 D. and L. Lawless. Slane: 1, B. and R Byrne; 2, E. Mclntaggart, K. Walsh. Tuam: 1, R Fitzmaurice, S. O'Reilly; 2, N. Cooney, A, Curley. Wexford: 1, A. Goodison, P. Brennan; 2, L. McKay, P. O'Nill; 3, J. Connolly, J. Hayes.