The 45th European bridge championships begin in Tenerife tomorrow.
A total of 36 teams are competing in the open championship. Each will play a round robin competition of 35 20board matches over 14 days in their quest for a top five finish and a place in the world championships in Bali next October.
Ireland's open team is: Tom Hanlon, from Rochfortbridge, Hugh McGann, from Fermoy, Michael MacDonagh, from Mullingar, Tomas Roche, from Rosslare Harbour, and Padraig O'Briain and Brendan O'Brien, from Dublin. The non-playing captain is Gay Keaveney, from Galway.
Hanlon, McGann, O'Briain and Roche will line up for the opening match against eight times winners, France.
MacDonagh, gaining his first cap, and O'Brien, who last played for Ireland in 1987, when he partnered Roche, are expected to line out with Hanlon and McGann against Switzerland in the second round.
The Olympiad champions, Italy, will be trying to win their fourth European crown in a row and 16th in all. The women's pairs championship also begins tomorrow with Ireland's Elva Gannon, Pauline Maguire, Patsy Meehan and Petra O'Neill taking part.
The Irish team for senior players aged over 55 is Joe MacHale, Alex Montwill, Pat Barry, David Jackson and Greer McKenzie.
The Irish Times will carry daily reports from Tenerife.