Ireland, represented by Tom Hanlon, Hugh McGann, Nick FitzGibbon, John Carroll and Tommy Garvey, has came through the qualifying rounds of the European bridge team championship in City West to take their place in the final round-robin.
In the opening round of the finals yesterday, the team lost narrowly, 14-16, to Russia, then in round two they had a resounding 24-6 win over Iceland.
Including scores carried forward from the qualifying rounds, these results leave Ireland in 11th place of the 18 finalists.
Crucially the Irish lie 10 points adrift of sixth-placed Russia. With seven matches remaining, Ireland has every chance of getting into the top six which will qualify for the world championship in Bali next year.
Monaco leads on 189 points from England 176, Germany 173.5, Italy 169, Israel 164 and Russia 146.
Ireland’s seniors – Rex Anderson, Pat Barry, Pat McDevitt, Rory Timlin, Michael MacDonagh and Eddie Fitzgerald – had a comprehensive 25-1 win against Finland in round 10 but they lost to Norway 10-20 in round 11.
France leads on 200 points from Germany 194, Denmark 192.5, Scotland 186, Belgium 134. Ireland 13th on 169.
The women competitors had a rest day yesterday. Both women’s and seniors’ contests will be decided on a complete round-robin. The championships continue until Saturday.