The Irish international team to compete in the European mixed championships, which will be held in Aachen, Germany, from March 28th to April 3rd next, is Dr G.M. Keaveney, P. Maguire, P. Porteous, and M. Trench.
This team raised a few eyebrows by beating the strongly fancied side consisting of P. Walshe, G. Barton, N. Toibin, and A. Dillon in the 64-board final, played at the Regent, Waterloo Road, Dublin.
In their semi-final, Keaveney overcame N.K. and K. Fitz Gibbon, D.L. Seligman, and R. Giddings, while Walshe beat J. Carroll, H. Dowling-Long, T. Garvey, and R. O'Keeffe. The top placings in the Irish Bridge Union's all-Ireland simultaneous pairs tournament were gained by - 1, M. Lowry, N. Cullen (Glasnevin, Dublin); 2, L. O'Brien, J. Dooner (Ballinamore); 3, M. Timoney, R. Kelly (Dunboyne); 4, F. McCarthy, C. Kennedy (Kingscourt); 5, R. Heatherington, P. Johnston (Derryvolgie, Belfast); 6, M. Walsh, D. Geraghty (Ballyhaunis); 7, B. O'Neill, G. Hayes (Kinsale); 8, M. Hewitt, J. Sweeney (Carndonagh).
Northern Ireland Bridge Union's prize: Dr S.G. McComb, S. Brown (Kelvin, and Malone, Belfast).
Regional prizes - Dublin North: A. Cuthbert, D. Bernard (St Marnock's). Dublin South: J. Riordan, U. McCrea (Palmerstown). Eastern: E. Rutledge, J. Roughneen (Dun Laoghaire). North Eastern: M. Mullen, M. Cosgrove (Trim). South Eastern: P. Fogarty, A. O'Gorman (Carrick-on-Suir).
North Midland: P. O'Meara, M. O'Gorman (Birr). South Midland: D. Roche, H. Murphy (Gores bridge). Northern: J. McIntyre, P. McLoughlin (Letterkenny). North Western: K. and B. Moran (Castlerea).
Western: B. Place, T. Broderick (RTC, Galway). North Munster: P. Stokes, W.M. Cashen (Thurles). South Munster: N. Harris, N. Kelleher (Fermoy).
The all-Ireland schools team championship final will take place in Galway from March 6th to 8th. The details are available from Dr G.M. Keaveney, 80 Dun Na Mara Drive, Renmore, Galway, and entries close on January 8th.
The Tralee international congress will be run in the Brandon Conference Centre from January 2nd to 4th. Entries: Pat Fitzgibbon (066-39292).