Anna Onishuk and Karel de Raeymaeker from Dublin got through to the semi-final stage of the mixed pairs event at the European open bridge championships at Menton yesterday, Twelve Irish partnerships took part.
Following a two session preliminary phase the leading 120 pairs of the 380 strong field went into the A semi-final to join 10 exempted pairs from the later stages of the teams event. The remainder went into the B final.
In the first session Anne-Marie Horan and John Carroll from Dublin recorded a 60 per cent score to occupy 13th place. Mary Finn, Cork and Pat McCarthy, Killarney, with 55 per cent, were 90th, well within the qualifying boundary. However both pairs faded out of contention during the second set leaving Onishuk and de Raeymaeker the sole Irish pair to qualify. Onishuk who is Russian born and de Raeymaeker who although he grew up in Dublin has Belgian parentage, had a modest 51 per cent opening session to occupy 162nd place. This was followed by a 56 per cent second set which put them up to 89th and comfortably in the semi-final. Iva Loncar and Dario Filjar now playing for their native Croatia, who have been resident in Ireland for the past few years made it through in 76th place.
Onishuk and de Raeymaeker had a poor start to the semi-final and are 117th at half way.
In the B semi-final seven Irish pairs posted above average scores to remain in contention for the consolation prize. Their scores were: Hilary Dowling-Long and Tommy Garvey, Dublin 53.69 per cent; Antoinette and Toss McGee, Ardee 52.93; Rose O'Farrell, Greystones and Joe Walsh, Dublin 52.52; Patsy Meehan, Bray and Bill Hirst, England 52.20; Moyna and Greer McKenzie, Northern Ireland 51.47; Mary Finn and Pat McCarthy 50.43; and Ann and Alex Montwill, Dublin, 50.11.