Mary Finn, Cork, and Pat McCarthy, Killarney, recorded the first Irish victory at the European open bridge championships in Menton yesterday when they won the C final from a field of 121 pairs.
The Munster pair have had an up-and- down week. They started well in the qualifying rounds of the competition, and just failed to reach the semi-finals. A moderate middle stage left them in the C final, in which they finally came good to win easily with a score of 62.82 per cent. Second were de Crescenzo and Pizza, Italy, on 59.89; third were Hetz and Schneider, Austria, 59.26. McCarthy, one of Munster's best players, has represented Ireland in a number of international events in recent years. This is his first win. Finn was a member of the Republic of Ireland team which took second place in the recent home international championship for the Lady Milne trophy. Their success is well deserved.
Patsy Meehan, Bray, playing with Bill Hirst, England, Antoinette and Toss McGee, Ardee, Ena and Aidan Cleary, Limerick, Brid Kemple, Terry Walsh, Dublin, Rose O'Farrell, Greystones, and Joe Walsh, Dublin, Ann and Alex Montwill, Dublin, also competed.
Sweltering conditions with temperatures in the mid-30s have given rise to uncomfortable playing conditions in Menton. There is no air-conditioning in the playing areas, resulting in a number of pairs withdrawing from the final stages. Players who are taking part in the teams championship, which begins late today, were especially reluctant to complete the final rounds of the pairs schedule.
The US won the first title of the championships when Roy and Christel Henner Welland, Robert and Jill Levin, Debbie and Michael Rosenberg outscored Sweden's Katherine Bertheau, Fredrick Nystrom, Magnus Magnusson and Katherine Midskog 56-4 in a one-sided final. Equal third were the four-person Danish team, D. Schaktz, L. Blakset, S. and J. Auken, who tied with R. Hauge, J.Svendsen, A. Malinowski, S. Thorensen, Norway, P.Leslie and S. Cohen, Scotland.
The mixed pairs A and B finals are due to finish today with the Open, Women's and Seniors teams championships starting later. The championships continue until June 28th.