The Kilkenny Bridge Congress will take place in the Hotel Kilkenny from November 21st to 23rd. After a wine and cheese reception (7 p.m.) on Friday the mixed pairs will be played. The major and intermediate pairs will be decided over two sessions on Saturday (1.30 p.m.), and with the teams on Sunday (11.30 a.m.). Open pairs will be run throughout, with a separate novice section when entries warrant it. Among the prizes, the winners of the major pairs will receive £500, and the intermediate champions £300. A social will follow close of play on Saturday. Tournament directors: M. Coffey, Joe, and John Murray. Entries will be accepted by Teresa McGrath (056-22855), who will also supply hotel and guesthouse details.
The all-Ireland schools pairs championship will be run in Ard Scoil Ris, Limerick, on December 6th (10.30 a.m.). As pre-qualifying heats are being played at various centres, entries should be made without delay to Dr G.M. Keaveney, 80 Dun na Mara Drive, Renmore, Galway.
At the Mullingar grand prix in
the Greville Arms the major pairs champions were the Northern Ireland internationals, Maeve Curran and Valerie Hamilton, who thus won £800, the biggest cash prize ever offered at an Irish congress. Runners-up were T. Hanlon, and Dr H. McGann, and J. Cunningham, and M. Harris came third.
Regional prize: C. and P. Claffey. Local: P. McCartan, M. Forde. Sessional winners: M. McGloughlin, H. Lillis; E. Feerick, J. Kenny.
Intermediate pairs: 1, P. Lyons, M. Treacy; 2, R. Connolly, F. Murray; 3, J. Carey, B. Petersen. B prizes: 1, D. Berber, G. Lawlor; 2, G. and N. Pender.
Regional: B. Morris, A. Seery. Local: I. Cullinane, N. Garry. Sessionals: T. Gibney, P. Reilly; M. Cronin, E. O'Hara.
Mixed pairs: 1, J. and U. Hearn; 2, J. Moran, C. Pippet; 3, Carey/Petersen. Best A: M. Hanly, S. Tuite. Best B: K. Colvert,T. Fagan. Regional: Cunningham/Harris. Local: A. and T. Hanlon.
Novice pairs: 1, P. and A. Browne; 2, P. McTiernan, M. O'Connor; 3, M. Comack, T. McKenna; 4, A. Dockery, D. McGirr.
Teams: 1, Hanlon/McGann, A. Mesbur, P. Walshe; 2, P. O Briain, P. Pigot, D. MacAonghusa, T. Roche; 3, Curran/Hamilton, D.A. Scannell, M. Fitzgibbon. Intermediate A: 1, D. Walsh, C. Coyne, E. Gallagher, M. Burke; 2, P. and A. Seery, M. Mackin, B. Morris. Regional: Cunningham/Harris, J. and U. Hearn.
Grand prix - Major: T. Hanlon; Open pairs: D. Kelly. Gala pairs: 1, Cunningham/Harris; 2, A. Hanlon, A. Brett; 3, M. Kerrigan, I. Dennison; 4, P. and C. Claffey. Intermediate prizes - A: L. Carey, M. Maguire; B: B. Brady, E. Muldoon.