In the recent European women’s online team championship, the Irish team consisting of Joan Kenny, Jeannie Fitzgerald, Teresa Rigney, Siobhán Park, Lucy Phelan, and Louise Mitchell finished in seventh place. Having originally qualified for the final in the fourth position, they beat England and Scotland in the closing rounds. Germany took the first position followed by Turkey and England. A similar showing is expected in the upcoming European Championships in Denmark, which could secure Ireland a place in next year’s World Championships.
Meanwhile, despite missing the A final by a narrow margin, the team of Kathleen Vaughan, Noreen Pender, Margaret Farren, Anna Carr, Aoife MacHale, and Antoinette McGee succeeded in securing the third place in the B final, fighting off stiff competition from Poland and Belgium. This was an admirable accomplishment given that this was the first European team competition for the majority of the team members.
During the Yeats Country online congress, Niall and Ian Kilroy emerged as victorious in the pairs contest, outperforming Ronnie O’Shaughnessey and Breda Kelly. Katherine Lennon and Johanne Powell grabbed the third position. Other noteworthy results included victories of Brendan Doyle, Mags Kelly, Brenda and John Biggar, Rita Lundon, Martin Naughton, Carolyn O’Donnell, and Chantal McCabe in their respective categories.
In the Intermediate B Friday competition, Teresa Murphy and Simon Burrell led the pack. Mary Cahill and Paul Woodlock claimed victory on Saturday, while Mary and Davy Donohue took top honours on Sunday. In the teams’ competition, the team comprising Ian Walsh, Stefan Lindfors, Rob Lawy, and Jim Grant emerged triumphant.
Marcin Rudzinski, Michelle Moloney, Anna Onishuk, and Karel De Raeymaeker secured the second position in the team event. Other notable results included performance of Donek Szenejko and Mary Timoney in the Fast Friday competition and Bernie Sargent with Eric McNicholl in the mixed category. Mark Burke and Pat Liston also shone in the Gala category. Marie Beaney and Séamus Boyle wrapped up the event with a commendable performance in the Fast Friday competition.
John Comyn, a former bridge correspondent for Independent Newspapers and a renowned figure in Dublin, has passed away. Comyn was a noted personality of his time, admired as both a top-ranked track athlete in his youth and one of the most outstanding tenors, specialising in light opera. His prowess on the bridge table led him to various victories, including multiple national bridge championships. He achieved the distinctive position of life master and was an esteemed representative for Ireland in World and European senior championships. He also participated in friendly contests against England.
Beyond the world championships, he showcased his talent closer to home, representing Dublin in the annual city match against Liverpool, resulting in numerous interprovincial medals alongside his team, Leinster. Even in his columns on bridge, Comyn never shied away from controversy, openly criticising players without mincing words. However, his sharply articulated style sparked discussions and succeeded in fueling a lasting interest in the sport amongst his readers. His book ‘Doubled Up: Laughing at the Game of Bridge’ provides a humorous perspective on his personal journey in the world of bridge.