THE Irish Bridge Union's interprovincial championship, played in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone, resulted in a run away win for Leinster, which scored 279.5 victory points. Runners up were Ulster with 186. The former holders, Connacht, came third with 172.5, and the wooden spoon went to Munster with 162.
The Leinster team was: J. Comyn, B.J. O'Brien, D. Garvey, M. O Briain, P. Walshe, G. Barton, P.J. and M. Barry, O'Keeffe, T. Garvey, H. Dowling Long and J. Carroll.
The Ulster team was: R. Plunkett, P. Tranmer, I. Hamilton, J. Ferguson, M. Coffey, J. Lavery, C. J. Richey, J. Conlon, M. O'Kane, W. Dukelow, T. O'Callaghan and R Carr.
The intermediate championship was retained by the holders, Connaught, represented by M. Morrison, M. and F. Goodwin, J. and P. McDonald, and M. Dolan, who scored 67.5. The Munster team, J. and L. Phelan, M. and D. O'Sullivan, M. White, and L. Ahern, was second with 62.5. Leinster was third with 52, and Ulster last with 19.
The European team championships will be held in Montecatihi, Italy, from June 14th to 29th, 1997. IBU trial dates are: Open preliminary, January 10th-12th; second round, January 24th-26th; final, January 31st February 2nd. Women: January 10th-12th, and 24th-26th. Details for the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland available from M. Gleeson, and for the Northern Ireland Bridge Association, A. Hill. Enter by December 8th.
Kilkenny congress, in the Hotel Kilkenny: Major pairs - 1, T. Hanlon, Dr H. McGann; 2, P. Pigot, D. Mac Aonghusa; 3, T. MacCormac, E. Galligan. Sessional winners: T. Ryan, C. O Dalaigh; D. Scannell, J. Clarson.
Major teams: 1, P. Breslin, K. Byrne, J. Power, D. Kearns; 2, Hanlon/McGann, Pigot/Mac Aonghusa. Intermediate prize: B. Moran, K. Hughes, V. BurkeMoran, A. O'Rourke. Best second session: D. Fogarty, A. Carroll, H. Watchorn, N. O'Mahony.
Mixed pairs: 1, G. Connolly, M. Lynch; 2, T. O'Hara, N. Tierney; 3, H. Prendergast, J. Spratt. Best Kilkenny: B. Grace, K. Walsh.
Intermediate pairs: 1, K. Hannigan, M. Digan; 2, (tie), B. Ryan with P. Healy, and F. Lalor with J. Coffey. B prizes: 1, L. McKay, J. Mason; 2, J. and M. Curran. Best Kilkenny: M. and M. Skelly.
The Waterford congress will be held in Jurys from January 10th to 12th.