The European mixed bridge team championship will be played in Aachen, Germany, from March 28th to April 3rd, 1998. The Irish Bridge Union will select a team for the event by holding trials, with the qualifying round on November 14th to 16th, and the semi-finals and final on December 13th to 14th.
Each trialist must hold a minimum of 40 national points, or have won 16 during the past three years. However, derogation from those stipulations may be granted by the international committee to suitable players who have a short bridge career. Entries, plus £160 per team, must be submitted before October 18th to either of the joint honorary secretaries, Ms Marie Gleeson or Mr Alan Hill.
The Limerick congress will take place in the Greenhills Hotel on the Ennis Road from October 17th to 19th. The programme is: mixed and novice pairs on Friday (7.30 p.m.); schools' pairs at 1 p.m., and both the major and intermediate pairs at 2 p.m. on Saturday; teams at noon on Sunday; open pairs throughout, including a special tournament on Saturday night for players competing at the Limerick congress for the first time.
Among the prizes the winners of the major pairs will receive £300. The directors are M. Burke, G.S. Lessells, and J.G. Fulham (061410827), who will accept entries from 7.15 p.m.
The Dun Laoghaire congress will be run in the Rochestown Lodge Hotel - formerly the Victor - from October 10th to 17th. Entries: Ms Patricia McGovern (01-2853203).
The Contract Bridge Association of Ireland will run a bridge teachers' seminar in the Hotel Westport, Co Mayo, from October 17th to 19th. Chief lecturer is the Irish international P.F. Walsh. Bookings and further details: Central Office (01-2697275).
Cork Congress in the Metropole Hotel - Major pairs: 1, H. Carroll, J. Kulchycky; 2, P.J. O'Dea, C. Holland; 3, R. White, P. Casselle. Best South Munster: R.D. McGrath, D. O'Gorman. Sessional winners: A. O'Brien, M. McGrath; R. Boland, T. Walsh.
Mixed pairs: 1, A. and D. Dillon; 2, J. O'Reilly, N. Kelleher; 3, M. O' Connor, M. Kelleher. Intermediate pairs: 1, P. Byrne, M. O'Callaghan; 2, M. Burke, B. Vaughan; 3, T. and K. McAuliffe. Best B: M. Davenport, N. Burns. Novice pairs: 1, E. McCarthy, M. Wanglin; 2, A. O'Hanlon, K. Power; 3, R. Russell, M. Kavanagh.
Teams: - Major: 1, A. and D. Dillon, M. Coveney, J. Crowley; 2, G. Cummins, P. McCarthy, C. Holland, K. Hayes. Intermediate: 1, B. Kemple, M. O'Brien, R. King, N. Pierse; 2, O. Rose, E. Cosgrove, S. O'Reilly, D. Roche.