THE Irish Bridge Union ran a qualifying tournament over three sessions at the Greystones Centre, Co Wicklow, to select automatically two partnerships to represent Ireland at the European Open Pairs championship in The Hague next March 17th to 22nd.
The event was won by T. Walsh, and D. O'Gorman. Runners up were C. Holland, and P. McCarthy. A grant of £400 will be paid to each of the players towards their expenses.
Other leading placings - 3, Comdt E.J. Fitzgerald, M. MacDonagh; 4, J. Walsh, J. McNelis; 5, R. and A. O'Keeffe; 6, G. Lessells, Y. Yuan. Sessional winners: D.A. Scannell, N. Kennedy; E. MacNeill, D.G. Scannell; T. Roche, P. O Briain.
The Waterford congress will be held in Jurys Hotel from January 10th to 12th. The hotel is offering an attractive package with an extra discount of 10 per cent on bookings made before December 10th. Details: P. Holden (051 855770).
The Contract Bridge Association of Ireland's national intermediate A pairs championship (New Ireland Trophy), played at venues throughout the Republic, attracted an entry of 342 players.
The overall leading placings were gained by - 1, J. Riordan, L. Gaynor (Dublin); 2, L. Ahern, M. Whyte (Cork); 3, C. Maher, R Seery (Mullingar); 4, C. Costelloe, 1. Langan (Tuam); 5, K. Hughes, V. Burke-Moran (Dublin); 6, M. Kelly, M. Gillane (Cork); 7, K. O'Sullivan, P. Lyons (Slane); 8, M. Slattery, M. Keating (Dublin); 9, J. and A. O'Shaughnessy (Ennis); 10, T. and S. Reilly (Slane).
The CBAI's national novice pairs championship (Waterford Crystal Trophy) was also a multi venue event, and had 146 entrants.
The overall top placings were - 1, A. Goodson, P. Brennan (Wexford); 2, C. O'Sullivan, E. Hegarty (Cork); 3, E. Kelly, F. Heffeman (Cork); 4, D. and L. Lawless (Mullingar); 5, C. Heffron, T. O'Connell (Cork); 6, D. Harte, D. McCoy (Tuam).
The Munster section of the all Ireland schools pairs championship (Gerry Joyce Cup) was won by C. Cuddy, and N. Hegarty (Laurel Hill, Limerick). Runners up were N. Pierse (St Michael's, Listowel), and S. McInerney, (Laurel Hill).