The Cork bridge congress will take place in the Metropole Hotel on September 26th-28th. The mixed and novice pairs will be held on Friday (7.30 p.m.); the two-session major and intermediate pairs on Saturday (2.15 p.m.); and the major and intermediate teams will each be decided over an extended session on Sunday (11 a.m.). There will be open pairs throughout. Entries: Mary Daly (021-812036).
The Contract Bridge Association of Ireland's national mixed pairs championships for the president's, Mrs Marie Cummins's, prizes, the Spiro Cup, and the Jim Fitzgerald Trophy will be run over three sessions on September 20th-21st in the Regency Hotel, on the Swords Road, Dublin. Entries: Paul Porteous (01-2697275).
Irish Bridge Union dates: simultaneous pairs, November 3rd-4th; interprovincials, November 22nd-23rd; junior trials, December 12th-14th; open, and women's trials, January 9th-11th, 23rd25th, and open final on January 30th-February 1st; all-Ireland inter-county teams, March 7th-8th; all-Ireland pairs, April 4th-5th; all-Ireland teams, June 13th-14th.
Ballybunion congress, in the Castle: Major pairs: 1, M. Lynch, J.J. Kiely; 2, E. O'Riordan, J. Smyth; 3, P. McCarthy, C. Holland.
Sessional winners: B. Kirby, A. Power; D. McGrath, K. Hayes. Best intermediates: C. Pierse, M. O'Gorman.
Teams: 1, P.C. Kiely, J. Coman, M. Prendergast, G. Lessells; 2, P.J. O'Dea, M. Hanrahan, Kirby/Power. Women's pairs: 1, M. Lynch, H. Boland; 2, A. Kavanagh, L. Tobin; 3, M. Banks, M. Davitt.
Mixed pairs: 1, K. Cashen, I. Cullinane; 2, B. Pattinson, M. Griffin; 3, C. McInerney, A. Power. Sessionals: N. and C. Pierse; N. Hickey, M. Hanrahan.
Bray Swiss teams, played at the Greystones Centre, Co Wicklow: 1, T. Walsh, D. Mac Aonghusa, C. O Dalaigh, M. Moran; 2, Professor A. Montwill, R.J. Fitzgerald, J.H. and A. O'Keeffe; 3, P. O Briain, T. Roche, T. Ryan, J. Clarson. Best Intermediate A: B. Kemple, A. McHale, N. Minogue, E. Moore. Second session: H. Carroll, J. Kulchycky, H. DowlingLong, T. Rigney. Local: C. McStravick, P. Carey, M. Saunders, T. Corcoran.
Pat Taaffe Memorial Trophy, played in Slane, Co Meath - 1, P. Bonner, M.V. McDonnell; 2, T.C. O'Gorman, F. Stack; 3, M. Farrelly, E. Sheahan; 4, E. McEnteggart, K. Walshe (best intermediates).