One of the most prestigious bridge events is the Cavendish invitational pairs championship, which will be held next weekend in Las Vegas. Some 48 of the best partnerships in the world are invited to participate. For the first time, an Irish pair, Tom Hanlon, and Dr Hugh McGann, will have the honour of competing.
The South of Ireland congress will take place in the Lake Hotel, Killarney, from May 11th to 19th. The major pairs (Magnier Trophy) will be played on the first Saturday, and Sunday; the mixed teams (Goldenfield Trophy) on Monday and Tuesday; the women's, and men's teams (Lake Hotel trophies) on Wednesday; the mixed pairs (Dr E.N.M. O'Sullivan Trophy) on Thursday, and Friday; and the major teams (Lough Lein Trophy) over two sessions on the final Saturday, and one on the Sunday afternoon.
All the above are at 8 p.m., except the last which begins at 1.30 p.m. Open pairs will be run on the first Saturday night, and twice daily thereafter, and novice pairs on the first Saturday (7.45 p.m.) and Wednesday (7.30 p.m.). Tournament directors: Joe Murray, and Mary O'Sullivan. Entries: Marie Moloney (066-9764563). Golf competitions are scheduled. Details: Mary Trant (064-31027, office hours).
The Contract Bridge Association of Ireland's national major team championship (Kelburne Cup), played at the Greystones Centre, was won for the first time by the Dublin North Region, represented by P. Delaney, P. Kelly, D. Terry, and E. Galligan with a score of 216 victory points.
Runners-up were B.J. O'Brien, M. Ó Briain, P. Pigot, M. MacDonagh, and T. MacCormac (Dublin South), with 202. The third prize went to S. and J. McGinley, C. Diver, and J. Gallagher (Northern) with 189.
The winners in the national intermediate A (Bankers' Trophy), and B (Tierney Trophy) finals were - A: 1) G. Hayes, D. Walsh, D. O'Brien, J. O'Flynn (South Munster), 399; 2) M. Burke, B. Vaughan, M. Anderson, B. Mackey (South Munster), 393; 3) P. Kealy, A. Fitzgerald, M. Killeavy, P. Caplin (Dublin South), 342; 4) R. Wyer, M. Moloney, J. Hynes, J. Winston (Western), 339. 3rd session: M. Kennedy, S. O'Mahony, A. O'Neill, P. Murray (Dublin North).
B: 1) B. Brady, E. Muldoon, C. Leavy, T. Maguire (North Midland), 293; 2) M. Mitchell, M. Donlon, M. Hackett, F. Laffey (Western), 289; 3) S. McNutt, J. McLaughlin, E. Hegarty, M. Doherty (Northern), 288. 3rd session: N. and B. Burke, T. and P. Gilligan (Dublin North).
The one-session tournament for the Johnny Kiely Trophy, with all proceeds going to the Sister Consilio Cuan Mhuire project, will be staged next Sunday (2 p.m.) in the Dundrum House Hotel, Dundrum, Co Tipperary.
The Arklow open pairs championship will be run in the Woodenbridge Hotel on May 19th (1.30 p.m.). Entries: Sean Cahill (0402-32486).
The Yeats Country and Youghal Bay congresses will be held on May 24th-26th, with the former in the Sligo Park Hotel, and the latter in the Walter Raleigh. Sligo brochures: Madge O'Kennedy (071-60406). Youghal brochures: Alice Walsh (024-92857).