THE Republic of Ireland beat England by a margin of 31 points in the annual international bridge match for the Corn Cairdis, played at the Galway Centre, with a final score of 373 to 342.
The president of the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland, Mrs Maisie Cooper, captained the Irish teams, which were Open Tomas Hanlon, Dr H. McGann, John Carroll, Tommy Garvey.
Women: Aileen, and Rebecca O'Keeffe Valerie Hand, Ann Montwill. Junior: Matt Clarson, Hilary Dowling Long, Thomas MacCormac, Louise, and Michelle Mitchell. County: Comdt E.J. Fitzgrald, Michael MacDonagh, the Rev Enda Glynn, Maurice Hession. Club: Marlene, and Michael O'Connor, Maura O'Farrell, Seamus MacMathuna.
Officials: Clare Pippet, Joe Moran, Seamus Dowling, Paul Porteous.
England Open: D. Patterson, W. Whittaker, P. Collins P Law D. O'Donovan. Women: C. Duckworth, J. Sutcliffe, S. Landy, A. Walker. Junior: J. Green, G. Hazel, L. Zivan, A. Flutter. County: J. Angseesing, G. Cornell, P. Denning, R. Chamberlain. Club: C. and A. Brown, C. and K. Comrie. Officials: P. Stocken K Rowe, D. Harris, G.G. Endicott. Captain: R Mason.
The Bankers' congress will be held at 92-93 St Stephen's Green Dublin, from March 15th to 23rd. The major pairs (McKcever Rowan Trophy) will be decided over two sessions on Saturday (2.30 p.m.), as will the major teams (The Irish Times Trophy) on Sunday (2.30 p.m.).
The following events will start at 7.30 p.m. gala pairs on Monday novice pairs on Tuesday intermediate B pairs on Wednesday mixed pairs (IBOA Trophy) on Thursday women's pairs (TSB Bank Trophy) on Friday. The intermediate A pairs (Irish Bankers' Club Trophy) will be run over two sessions on the final Saturday (2.30 p.m.), as will the intermediate teams (First National Building Society Trophy) on the final Sunday (2.00 p.m,).
Subject to space availability there will be gala pairs on the last Sunday at 7.30 p.m., followed by a social. The first prizes in the teams will be £240, and in the major and A pairs £200. Directors: Joe and John Murray, B Lawlor, B. Rafferty. Pre-entry is essential for all the events including the gala pairs. Entries: Ann Hanratty (01-2698104).
Torc congress in the Gleneagle, Killarney Major pairs: 1 Murphy, E. Duke 2 - J. Higgins,
M.Kennefick. Sessional winners: E. and O. Neville, P.J. O'Dea, Y. Yuan. Best "intermediates: J. Cullen, P. Clare. Teams: 1 - Boland, M. Reddy, R. O'Shaughnessy, T. Murphy. 2 - O'Gorman, G. O'Regan, P. McCarthy, G. Cummins. Best intermediates: M. O'Sullivan, N. Fitzgibbon, M. Culloty, R O'Regan.
The Ballyroan fiesta will be held for the 21st and last time in Ballyboden, Co Dublin, on April 4th-5th, It is planned that next year the venue will be the new Community Bridge Centre in Templeogue.