Tommy Garvey and Dr Hugh McGann deserve to be saluted for putting up a great performance in coming through a field of 144 players to win the English Bridge Union's men's pairs championship in Coventry.
This is one of the most notable victories achieved by an Irish partnership.
Ireland will be represented by Dr G.M. Keaveney, P. Maguire, P. Porteous and M. Trench at the European mixed team championship in Rimini, Italy, on March 18th-24th, as a result of beating G. Lessells, I. Cleary, S. and A. Glynn in the final of the trials, held in the Regent, Dublin.
In the semi-finals, Keave ney beat J. Heneghan, C. Dowling-Long, K. de Raey maeker and B. Rafferty, while Lessells beat P. McCarthy, M. Finn, C. Holland, and A. Dillon.
The programme of the Bal lina congress, in the Downhill Hotel on February 11th-13th, is: Friday, wine reception 7 p.m., mixed pairs 7.45 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m., two-session major and intermediate pairs; Sunday at noon, two-session teams; open pairs throughout.
Among the prizes, the major pairs winners will receive £240. Josie Cawley at (096) 70055 will accept entries and supply details about accommodation.
The Zanussi national team championship (Holmes Wilson Cup) will be run in the Stand House Hotel, The Curragh, on February 19th-20th. With the usual prizes there will also be awards for the best women's, men's, mixed, master, inter A, and senior (over-55) foursomes.
Only the first 80 teams entered will be accepted. Entries: (01) 492-9666.
Tralee congress, Brandon Conference Centre - pairs - major: 1, J. Spratt, M. Prendergast; 2, W. Stockhaus, J. O'Connor; 3, N. Hickey, B. Kirby. Best inter: B. McCarthy, F. O'Brien. Session ???????????????????als: M. O'Gorman, C. Pierse; K. Cussen, D. O'Sullivan.
Mixed: 1, R. Cronin, H. Milner; 2, M. O'Sullivan, M. Bourke; 3, P. Mullins, N. Fitzgibbon. Novice: 1, T. and D. Moriarty; 2, M. Cremins, L. Warner.
Ennis congress, Auburn Lodge Hotel - pairs - Major: 1, P. Barrett, D. Houlihan; 2, E. Fee rick, J. Kenny; 3, M. Griffin, B. Pattinson. Local: C. McInerney, A. Power. Sessionals: D. Dillon, T. Fitzgibbon; A. Seery, B. Morris. Mixed: 1, L. Maher, P. Madigan; 2, C. and M. Walsh; 3, J. Cunningham, M. Harris.
Inter: T. Molamphy, J. Rodgers. Local: D. Houlihan, A. Power. Inter: 1, J. Rodgers, M. O'Sullivan; 2, M. Walsh, E. Murphy; 3, M. Kilduff, M. Cunningham. B prizes: 1, N. Fitzgibbon, T. Hardiman; 2, A. Lough, W. McNamara. Sessionals: J. Dullea, J. Wallis; S. McInerney, B. Wilmott.
Novice: 1, A. Nash, B. Duggan; 2, M. Cremins, U. O'Sullivan; 3, M. McGuane, J. Clancy. Teams: 1, M. Hession, M. MacDonagh, E. Fitzgerald, E. Glynn; 2, Grif fin/Pattinson, Feerick/Kenny; 3, P. Quinn, P. Barrett, P. Liston, G. Connolly. Inter: M. Hayes, K. O'Connor, C. Pierse, M. O'Gorman.