The European Union bridge team championships will be played in Salsomaggiore, Italy, from April 17th to 25th, 1998. In January and February, the Irish Bridge Union will run trials to select teams for both the open and women's series.
Each player in the open event must hold either a minimum of 60 national points or have won 25 during the last three years; and in the women's tournament have at least 40, or have won 16 during the last three years. Derogation from those conditions may be granted by the international committee to suitable players who have a short bridge career. Such applicants should submit a resume of their achievements to date. All entries, including a fee of £240 per team, should be sent, without delay, to either of the joint honorary secretaries, Ms Marie Gleeson or Mr Alan Hill.
The major and intermediate inter-provincial championships, starting at 1.30 p.m., will be decided over three sessions in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone, on November 22nd-23rd.
The Kilkenny congress will be held in the Hotel Kilkenny from November 21st to 23rd. Entries: Teresa McGrath (056-22855).
Donegal congress, in the Abbey and Central hotels - Major pairs: 1, C. Richey, J. Conlon; 2, B. Senior, Dr H. Campbell; 3, David, and Diane Greenwood. Sessional winners: T. Walsh, J. Kulchycky; I. Orr, W. Wilkinson. Regional prize: C. White, J. Gallagher. Best Donegal: D. Ellis, J.J. Doherty.
Mixed pairs: 1, J. Comyn, J. Kulchycky; 2, P. Meehan, B. Senior;3, M. Bonner, P. McDaid. Regional: C. Brady, F. Sweeney. Donegal: B. Carr, C. McLoone.
Intermediate A pairs: 1, C. and P. Ward; 2, N. O'Brien, E. Monaghan; 3, J. and S. Waters. Sessionals: P. Love, M. Rafferty; S. Doherty, J. Sweeney. Regional: A. Buckley, P. Laird. Donegal: J. Cunningham, J. Molloy.
Intermediate B pairs: 1, L. Robinson, A. Breen; 2, E. Ferns, D. Russell; 3, G. Sheridan, P. Gillanders. Sessionals: M. Kilgallon, M. Duffy; I. and F. Winters. Regional: M. and N. Farren. Donegal: A. Carr, R. Sweeney. Novice: G. McKeever, K. Higgins.
Major teams: 1, P. Byrne, P. Walsh, C. McLoone, S. Gillan; 2, B. Senior, J. Hackett, M. Alexander, D. and D. Greenwood; 3, Richey/Conlon, E. Kerrigan, H. Kane. Regional: E. and S. O'Hare, the Rev E. Tierney, T. McDermott. Donegal: G. Laird, C. Brady, D. Ellis, J.J. Doherty.
Intermediate teams: 1, R. Conway, P. Waldron, D. and P. Townley; 2, M. Shovelin, J. Mortell, M. Lenehan, J. McGowan; 3, E. Glackin, R. Donnelly, M. Linehan, M. Collins. Best B: E. O'Neill, A. Lonergan, McKeever/Higgins. Regional: N. Shovelin, J. Smith, M. Brady, S. Doherty.