The 19th Bangor (Co Down) bridge congress, with a prize fund of more than £1,700 sterling, will take place in the Marine Court Hotel from July 30th to August 1st. Among the awards, the winners of the major pairs will receive £200, and the team champions £160.
On the Friday a reception will be held at 7.15 p.m followed by the mixed pairs (7.45 p.m). The major, intermediate, and junior pairs will be decided over two sessions on Saturday (2 p.m), as will the Swiss teams on Sunday (1.15 p.m), with the latter event finishing before 9.30 p.m Open pairs throughout. Entries close on July 29th with Maeve Boylan, 44 Ballycrochan Road, Bangor BT19 2NF.
The major pairs championship (John Lowry Trophy) of the Ballina congress, held in the Pontoon Bridge Hotel, was won by D. Walsh and C. Coyne. Runners-up were C. Walsh, and T. Hanlon. The third prize went to S. O Lubaigh with S. Coggin and the fourth to M. Griffin with B. Pattinson. Best Out of State: Diane and David Greenwood. Best Mayo: J. Kenny, E. Feerick. Sessional winners: P. Buckley, D. Saville, K. de Raeymaeker, J. Heneghan.
Intermediate pairs (Ireland West Trophy): 1, A. McKiernan, M. Ui Ruanai; 2, J. Cawley, J. O'Toole; 3, P. Seery, B. O'Hanlon. Regional prize: C. Moroney, D. Meehan. Best Mayo: M. O'Connor, F. Burke. Best B: A. Carr, M. Doherty. Sessionals: S. Murphy, N. Ruane; T. and M. Crawley.
Mixed pairs (Kane Trophy): 1, C. Walsh, T. Hanlon; 2, B. Kem ple, T. Walsh; 3, M. Kilfeather, D. Saville; 4, M. Hickey, P. Buckley. Out of State: M. and G. Mackenzie. Regional: M. Nallon, B. Mc Gonagle. Best Mayo: F. Walkin, A. Kilcullen.
Teams (Guinness Trophy): 1, Buckley/Saville, D. Ellis, C. Brady; 2, Griffin/Pattinson, Kenny/ Feerick; 3, D. and A. Dillon, G. Lessells, M. Burke. Regional: M. Hickey, M. and F. Goodwin, C. McTigue. Intermediate: B. Brannigan, E. Monaghan, O. Carroll, N. O'Brien.
Details of an Irish bridge holiday in Huelva, Spain, from September 12th to 26th are available from Barry Hogsett (01285 7853).