Four of Ireland's best international bridge players, Tom Hanlon, H. McGann, Pat Walshe, and Niall Toibin performed splendidly in coming a close second at the prestigious team tournament for the Lederer Trophy in London.
The winners were Z. Mahmood, A. Robson, G. Hallberg and C. Simpson. Had the Irish scored a mere seven imps more in the direct match against the champions they would have won the event.
The major and intermediate inter-provincial championships will be decided over three sessions in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone, next weekend, November 20th-21st. Leinster are the holders of both events.
The Kilkenny congress will take place in the Hotel Kilkenny from November 19th to 21st. Entries: Teresa McGrath: (056) 22855.
The two-session open pairs championship for the Dundalk Salver, with prizes for the various grades, will be held in the Fairways Hotel on Sunday, November 21st (2 p.m.). Entries: Kathleen Manning (042) 932-1337.
Donegal congress - pairs - Major: 1, J. and J. Hackett; 2, Dr S. Hall, M. Rosenberg; 3, J. Gallagher, C. Whyte. Sessionals: P. Hackett, B. Mavromichalis; H. and A. Burns. Regional: P. McDaid, J. Nugent. Local: J. and S. McGinley.
Inter A: 1, M. Jackson, C. Curran; 2, D. Hanna, B. Scott; 3, P. Seery, B. O'Hanlon. Sessionals: M. Corless, H. Geraghty; M. Burke, E. Gallagher. Regional: A. and P. Carr. Local: A. Stewart, C. Carlin.
Inter B: 1, B. McCullagh, H. Preston; 2, A. King, A. Bonnar; 3, E. Counihan, G. Sheridan. Sessionals: M. Hannigan, R. Cochrane; C. Dillon, J. Maguire. Regional: M. Duffy, M. Kilgannon. Local: A. Carr, R. Sweeney. Novice: B. McDaid.
Mixed: 1, J. McGinley, C. O'Donnell; 2, S. Diva, D. Maloney; 3, P. and A. Buckley. Regional: P. Byrne, P. Bergin. Local: M.Mooney, J. McLaughlin.
Teams - Major: 1, J. and J. and P. Hackett, B. Mavromichalis; 2, P. Byrne, P. C. Duffy, Dr G. Keaveney, P. Quinn; 3, J. Comyn, S. Stack, M. MacDonagh, J. Furnival. Regional: C. O.Donnell, E. McMenamin, Gallagher/Whyte. Local: D. Ellis, J.J. Doherty, C. Brady, G. Laird.
Inter: 1, Burke/Gallagher, Seery/O'Hanlon; 2, D. Hewitt, C. and S. Doherty, J. Sweeney; 3, D. Curran, P. Johnston, G. Smyth, H. McKnight. Best B: B. and P. Byrne, P. Lawlor, E. Tierney. Regional: A. Buckley, P. Laird, J. McCollam, G. Cunningham. Local: M. Dawson, M. McCauley, M. Patton.
Kenmare congress - pairs - Major: 1, K. Cashen, P. Cassells; 2, G. Cummins, P. McCarthy; 3, K. Cussen, D. O'Sullivan. Inter: B. Vaughan, M. Burke. Sessionals: J. Spratt, D. Dillon; M. Burke, M. O'Sullivan. Local: M. McCarthy, E. Murphy.
Mixed: 1, M. Atkinson, M. Kennefick; 2, D. and A. Dillon; 3, M. O'Shea, M. Fleming. Inter: Vaughan/Burke. Local: T. Bambury, M. O'Sullivan.
Teams: 1, J. Moran, M. Madden, Burke/O'Sullivan; 2, Cashen/Cassells, A. Dillon, M. Kennefick; 3, H. Milner, K. Enright, M. Fleming, P. Hegarty.