THE 21st Ballina Bridge Congress will be held in the Pontoon Bridge Hotel, Pontoon, Co Mayo, from July 12th to 14th. The one session mixed pairs championship (Kane Trophy) will begin on Friday at 7.45 p.m. Both the major (John Lowry Trophy), and intermediate pairs (Ireland West Trophy) championships will be decided over two sessions on Saturday, as will the team championship (Guinness Trophy) on Sunday, with the latter event starting at 12.30 p.m.
There will be open pairs on Friday night, twice on Saturday, and on Sunday at noon, 2.00 p.m., and 6.30 p.m.
Among the prizes, the winners of the major pairs will receive Moy salmon plus £200, and the team champions, salmon plus £160. Tournament directors: Fearghal O'Boyle, and John Mulkearns. Mrs Josie Cawley (096-70055) will provide a list of hotels and guesthouses and will accept entries.
The European junior championships will be played in Cardiff, Wales, from July 19th to 28th. In the under 25 year event (David Pigot Trophy), Ireland will be represented by John Carroll with Tommy Garvey, Hilary Dowling along with Ciara Burns, and Tim Ryan with Szabolcs Udvari.
The under 20 Irish team is: Neville Pierse with Paul O'Donoghue, Fergus O'Connor with Sean O'Sullivan, and Edward Fox with Edwin Ryan.
Some 724 players took part in the Irish heat of the Alcatel worldwide simultaneous pairs tournament. The leading placings were gained by the following: Friday Mitchell - North/South: 1, C. Duffy, P. McDaid (Moville Centre); 2, M.E. Hewitt, D. Guckian (Moville); 3, J. Hynes, J. Silke (Galway). East/West: 1, B. Ryan, K. Rochford (Cahir); 2, A. Harte N. Doyle (Ennis); 3, A. Hanlon, A. Shakeel (Mullingar).
Friday Howell 1, C. and N. Foley (Tramore); 2, J. Crowley, A. Dillon (Cork); 3, N. and A. Grant (Tramore).
The Saturday Mitchell - N/S: 1, T. Sweeney, F. O'Farrell (Greystones); 2, T. Walsh, M. Moran (Bankers, Dublin); 3, M. and S. Hart (Monaghan). E/W: 1, C.A. Cummins, J. Noonan (Greystones); 2, M. Hever, L. O'Mahony (Monaghan); 3, T. Dooley, F. Kelly (Bankers').
There will be a bridge teachers' training course in the City College, Emmet Road, Inchicore, Dublin, from August 19th to 23rd. Those interested should contact Seamus Dowling (01 4933390).