THE 53rd South of Ireland congress will take place in the Laker Hotel, Killarney, from May 11th to 19th. Starting at 8.15 p.m. each night, the major pairs championship (Magnier Trophy) will be played on the first Saturday and Sunday; the mixed teams (Goldenfield Trophy) on Monday and Tuesday; the women's and men's teams (Lake Hotel trophies) on Wednesday; and the mixed pairs (Dr E.N.M. O'Sullivan Trophy) on Thursday and Friday.
The major teams (Lough Lein Trophy) will be decided over three sessions on the final Saturday and Sunday, followed by the congress dinner on the Sunday night. Open pairs throughout. Entries: Maureen Lyne (064-31057). Golf competition details: Daisy O'Connor (064-31788).
The final of the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland's national team championship for the Kelburne Cup, played in the Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar, resulted in a convincing win for Dr G.M. Keaveney, the Rev E. Glynn, M. Hession and R. Timlin, who scored 128 victory points, equivalent to a remarkable 78 per cent. Runners up were P.J. O'Dea, Y. Yuan, A. Power and M. Griffin, with 111 points. A point behind them were the Rev L. Shanahan, S. Costello, B. and H. Sheridan. And D.A. Jackson, P.J. Barry, T. Rigney, N.K. and K. FitzGibbon came fourth with 106 points.
At the first Ennis congress, held in the Auburn Lodge Hotel, the major pairs championship (Auburn Lodge Trophy) was won by N. Hickey, and D. Reddan. Second prize went to R. Knight and G. Connolly, and third to M. Hanrahan and B. Kirby. Sessional winners: V. and M. Brennan; D. Houlihan, P. Quinn. Intermediate prize: D. Dillon, T. Fitzgibbon. Best Co Clare: D. Liddy, C. Murphy.
Major teams: 1, J.H. and R. O'Keeffe, M. MacCormac, B. Rafferty; 2, P. Quinn, P. Walsh, K. Hayes, P. Barrett; 3, N. Hickey, B. Kirby, M. and V. Brennan. Intermediate: D. Coyne, J. Fitzgerald, Dillon/ Fitzgibbon.
Mixed pairs: 1, V. and M. Brennan; 2, A. Harte, O. Barrett; 3, J. Power, V. McDonald. Intermediate prizes - A: D. and S. Karp. B: the Rev R. Butler, D. Roughan. Best Co Clare: B. Kirby, P. Liston.
Intermediate pairs: 1, C. Rochford, B. Ryan; 2, B. Vaughan, M. Burke; 3, T. Colleary, M. Hogan. Sessionals: W. Neligan, A. Cleary; G. Roberts, J. Heneghan. Novice pairs: 1, A. Lough, W. McNamara; 2, S. Conheady, B. Hayes; 3, P. Small, B. Martin.
Eastern Region - Memorial Trophy: 1, H. Holman, V. King; 2, M. O'Loughlin, B. O'Farrell; 3, J. Kilduff, T. Keyes; 4, F. Fitzgerald, J. O'Byrne. Intermediate B, and Novice pairs (Eileen O'Doherty Trophy): 1, P. Murphy, E. Lynch; 2, J. and P. Ryan; 3, H. Fahy, K. O'Kelly; 4, E. Wynne, M. Nolan.