The world open and women's bridge team championships will take place in Maastricht, Holland, from August 26th to September 9th, 2000. To select squads for the events the Irish Bridge Union held trials in the Templeogue Centre, Dublin.
Ireland will be represented in the open series by Tomas Hanlon and Dr Hugh McGann - who had been exempted from the trials because of their fine performances in recent years - plus Dr G.M. Keaveney, Rory Timlin, Niall Toibin and Rory Boland.
In the semi-finals, over 64 boards, Keaveney beat B.J. O'Brien, Ranald Milne, Cearbhall O Dalaigh and John Clarson by 101 imps, while Greer Mackenzie, David Greenwood, Ian Lindsay and Dr Hastings Campbell beat Gordon Lessells, Sean O Lubaigh, Bob Pattinson and Gerard Connolly by 23 imps.
The final was scheduled for 96 boards. However, Keaveney was ahead of Mackenzie by 129 imps with 16 boards to be played and the latter conceded victory. The play-off for third place resulted in O'Brien beating Lessells by 16 imps.
Republic's panel for the home internationals (Camrose Trophy): Open team and O'Brien's team.
The team to represent Ireland in the women's series in Maastricht and the Republic in the home internationals (Lady Milne Trophy) is: Pat Ryan, Pat MacMahon, Helen Carroll, Jill Kulchycky, Helen Holman and Carol McCarthy.
Their trials were run right through as a round robin over 224 boards. The top placings were: 1, MacMahon/Ryan, 256 victory points; 2, Car roll/Kulchycky, 229; 3, Hol man/McCarthy, 215; 4, Mamie MacCormac, Carol Ann Cummins, 202; 5, Ena Cleary, Maureen Griffin, 201; 6, Petra O'Neill, Patsy Meehan, 196.
All of the following regional pairs championships will be held on November 28th, except Dublin North, which will be on November 27th. All will be run over two sessions, except the Northern, which will be one session.
Dublin North: Malahide Centre (2 p.m.), entries to Maurice Quinn. Dublin South: Regent (2.30 p.m.), Seamus Dowling. Eastern: Greystones Centre (1.30 p.m.), Joan Kilduff.
Northern: Ballybofey/Letterkenny (7 p.m.), Paddy Byrne. North Eastern: Conyngham Arms, Slane (2 p.m.), Aileen Timoney. North Midland: Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone (1.30 p.m), Marie Gleeson.
North Munster: Limerick Centre (1.30 p.m.), Mark Burke. North Western: Royal Hotel, Boyle (2 p.m.), Teresa McGrath. South Eastern: Waterford Centre (2 p.m.), Jim O'Leary. South Midland: Kilkenny Centre (1.30 p.m.), Tony White.