THE Irish Bridge Union's simultaneous pairs championship, which was played at centres throughout Ireland, was won by P. Kelly, and D. Terry (Malahide). Runners up were J. Doona, and L. O'Brien (Ballinamore). Third came P. Pownall, and D. Tracey (Cheeverstown).
Other leading placings: 4, P. and D. Walsh (RTC, Galway); 5, T. Egan, M. Foley (Ferbane); 6, M. Phelan, B. Fitzpatrick (Palmerstown); 7, I. Heatley, A. Dobson (Armagh); 8, B. Byrne, B. King (Carysfort).
Area prizes - Dublin North: U. Wheatley, L. Dunne (Howth). Dublin South: J. and P. Ussher (Cheeverstown). East: H. Gorman, R. Graham (Carysfort). Northern Ireland Bridge Union: S. McKeague, I. Orr (Kelvin, and Malone, Belfast). North: R and A. Buckley (Ballyshannon). North East: V. O'Reilly, F. de Meulmeister (Dunboyne). North Midland: J. Kerins, J. Dooley (Birr). North Munster: A. Harte, J. Doyle (Killaloe). North West: J.H, and the Rev P. Murphy (Longford). South East: A. McNally, M. Fenton, (Deise). South Midland:
M. White, A. Moran (Ryston). South Munster: N. Harris, M. Kelleher (Fermoy).
Dublin open team championship (Wigoder Cup): 1, M. Kelly Rogers, F. Quade, E. McCann, M. Meade; 2, B.J. O'Brien, R. O'Keeffe, J. Carroll, T. Garvey; 3, N. Kennedy, R. Ennis, N. Toibin, G. Barton. Best second session: J.R. Agnew, B. Gannon, C. Doyle, H. MacDermott.
Munster team championship (Thomond Cup) - Master: 1, B. Kirby, M. Hanrahan, G. Connolly, A. Power (Limerick); 2, D. McGrath, K. Hayes, C. Holland, M. Finn (UCC); 3, P.C. and J. Kiely, J. O'Reilly, J. Coman (Cahir); 4, K. Byrne, D. Kearns, B. Higgins, M. Boland (Waterford).
Intermediate: 1, N. and A. Grant, E. Flynn, D. McCurtin (Tramore); 2, M. White, L. Ahern, A. Hogan, S. Donovan (Cork); 3, J. O'Rourke, M. Bolger, B. Brennan, D. Dowling (Waterford); 4, S. Maguire, K. Phelan, M. Kearns, N. Fleming (Blue Haven).
The South County Dublin team championship, which gives entry to the all Ireland championship (Burke Trophy), will be played on January 22nd and 29th in the Roadstone Club, Kingswood, which is south of Newlands Cross, left, just off the dual carriageway. Entries: S. Dowling (01 4933390).
The Dublin North festival and Tralee international congress will both run from January 17th to 19th, with the former in the Regency Hotel, and the latter in the Brandon Conference Centre. Dublin entries: Mrs N. Dockrell (01 8401110). Tralee entries: Pat Fitzgibbon (066 39292).