The Templeogue Castle Community Bridge Club, Dublin, was formally opened by Mr Tom Kitt, Minister of State for Labour Affairs. This new centre, which cost £750,000, and can seat some 300 players comfortably, is probably the largest in Ireland. The facilities include a huge playing hall, a members' bar, and a supervised car-park.
The success of the venture is due mainly to the support given by five local clubs, Ballyroan, Cypress, Knocklyon, St Jude's and Templeogue. They operate independently Monday to Friday. Their total membership exceeds 1,000. Bridge is open to non-members on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m., and also on Sunday evenings. Classes for beginners already have attracted over 120.
Congress for novices, and intermediates, Lady Gregory Hotel, Gort, October 22nd-25th: Friday (7.30 p.m.), gala open pairs; Saturday (1.30 p.m.), three two-session pairs - A, B, and novice; Sunday (1.30 p.m.), two-session teams, with separate sections if entries warrant; Monday (2 p.m. and 7.30p.m.), open pairs. Entries: Paul Porteous (01) 492-9666.
Dun Laoghaire congress, Rochestown Lodge Hotel: pairs, major - 1, C.A. Cummins, J. Noonan; 2, D. Goan, E. Van der Lar; 3, D. Scannell, J. Carroll. Sessionals: A. Montwill, J. MacHale; K. Lennon, J. McCormack. Mixed: 1, J. and A. O'Keeffe; 2, D. Mulhall, U. Devine; 3, J. Comyn, J. Kulchycky; 4, S. Sheehan, M. MacCormac. Best A: F. Martin, T. McLoughlin.
Inter: A - 1, M. Grehan, R. O'Dea; 2, B. King, B. Byrne; 3, H. Kinsella, M. Kiernan. Sessionals: G. Lawlor, J. Butler; K. O'Kelly, F. Martin. B: 1, B. and P. Byrne; 2, M. McConville, D. Mooney. Sessionals: N. English, M. Robinson; M. Murphy, M. Vard. Novelty winners: M. MacCormac, B. Gannon; S. Sheehan, E. Martin. Husband-wife: 1, A. and P. Hanratty; 2, P. and D. Ryder; 3, P.and T. O'Neill. Women's: 1, M. Dillon, C. McCarthy; 2, J. Last, J. Kilduff; 3, M. Barry, A. Johnson. Men's: 1, P. Barry, D. Jackson; 2, M. Quinn, J. Walsh.
Novice: No 1 - 1, V. Cummins, P. Murphy; 2, M. Carroll, L. Christensen; 3, M. McConville, E. O'Donovan. No 2: 1 (tie), T. Hynes, D. Gilliland, C. Clarke, I. Mulvin; 3, H. Friel, M. Powell. No 3: 1, M. and C. Lumsden; 2, P. Murphy, H. Friel; 3, (tie), M. and E. Carroll, K. Hadden, A. McCarthy.
Teams: major - 1, ComynKulchycky, M. Roche, P. Maguire; 2, A. and A. Montwill, R. Fitzgerald, S. Sheehan. Inter: 1, M. O'Brien, D. Berber, Lawlor-Butler; 2, A. Dwyer, S. Treanor, B. Synnott, J. Mullally; 3, O'KellyMartin, P. Givens, F. Rainert. 2nd session: A. Alldritt, C. Davis, C. Armstrong, R. Delaney.
Limerick congress, Limerick Inn Hotel: pairs, major: 1, D. Walsh, P. Quinn; 2, C. McInerney, D. Houlihan; 3, D. Dillon, T. Fitzgibbon. Sessionals: B. Kirby, M. Hanrahan; L. O'Donnell, J. Phelan. Best Limerick: D. Liddy, C. Murphy. Clare: J. Fitzgerald, D. Coyne.
Mixed: 1, T. and B. McCarthy; 2, C. McInerney, A. Power; 3, B. and M. O'Keeffe. Limerick: L. Walsh, J. Rodgers. Married: J. and V. Murray. Intermediate: 1, M. O'Gorman, P. Rochford; 2, P. Fay, K. Greely; 3, B. Tynne, F. Langford. B prizes: 1, M. Healy, C. Kelly; 2, O. and T. Ahern. Sessionals: J. and B. Quinn; L. Knight, M. Carroll.
Schools: 1, M. McGloughlin, O. Walsh; 2, S. Gilmartin, F. McInerney; 3, R. Clark, K. Walshe; 4, E. O'Keeffe, E. Murray; 5, A. Waters, M. Rooney. Novice: 1, N. Gardiner, M. McMahon; 2, N. Reidy, F. Greene.
Teams: 1, P. McCarthy, G. Cummins, P. Liston, G. Connolly; 2, B. Pattinson, M. Griffin, S. O Lubaigh, M. Finn; 3, M. Burke, K. Coyne, Walsh-Quinn. Inter: M. Crowe, M. Fitzpatrick, G. McMahon, B. Martin.