The Irish Bridge Union's all-Ireland inter-county championship (Burke Trophy) attracted an entry of 38 teams to the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone, and was won by R.J. Fitzgerald, A. O'Sullivan, Ann and Alex Montwill (Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown), with a score of 369 victory points.
Runners-up were M. and H. Prendergast, J. Spratt, and T. Mulcahy (Waterford) with 367. Third prize went to S. Costello, B. Carroll, M. Walsh, and P. Howard (Fingal) with 348, and fourth to P. Troy, J. and M. Campbell, and T. McGrath (Kilkenny) with 345.
Best 3rd session: M. O'Kane, C. Burns, G. Fitzgerald, D. Hannon (Down). Counties which did not compete: Carlow, Cavan, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Mayo, Monaghan, Roscommon, Tyrone.
The leading placings in the all-Ireland schools team championship, played at the Galway Centre, were - 1, E. Davis, Ho Ming Chan, C. O Muircheartaigh, P. Scannell (St Joseph's, Galway), 348; 2, R. Bavalia, A. Flynn, R. Nicholls, K. Lomas (Belfast Royal Academy), 330; 3, F. McInerney, S. Gilmartin, O. Walsh, J. Martin (Laurel Hill, Limerick), 323; 4, P. Chan, D. Dickson, R. Crawford, M. McKimm (Coleraine Academical Institute), 316.
Bankers' congress, Bankers' Club, 92-93 St Stephen's Green, and Templeogue Centre, Dublin, March 14th-19th. Bankers' Club (7.30 p.m.) - Tuesday, women's pairs; Thursday, mixed pairs; Friday, gala pairs. Templeogue Centre - Saturday (2 p.m.) major and intermediate, two-session pairs; likewise teams on Sunday. Entries: Dave Mulhall (012984393).
Fermoy congress, Grand Hotel, March 31st-April 2nd. Friday (7.45 p.m.), mixed and novice pairs; Saturday (2 p.m.), two-session major pairs; Sunday (11.30 a.m.), extended session of teams; open pairs throughout. Two nights B&B, plus one dinner, £65 at venue (02531444). Entries: Mary Mason (02532504).
Beginners' jamboree, Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, March 31st- April 1st, £99 p.p.s. Host: Seamus Dowling (014933390). Bookings: 018742949. Two-session open intermediate team championship (O'Kennedy Cup), Dun Laoghaire Club, March 26th (2 p.m.). Entries: Barry Hogsett (012857853).
Irish bridge festival, Costa del Sol, September 22nd from Cork, September 23rd from Dublin. Details: Mary Walsh (012691463).