The National Teams Championships were held live over the weekend of 23/24 April, with the Kelburne Cup (Masters) in Malahide, and the Bankers (Intermediate A) and Tierney (Intermediate B) Trophies in Templeogue. Two of the three events went down to the final few boards, the exception being the Bankers Trophy where the winners led throughout and finished with a comfortable margin. The prize-winning teams in each event were as follows:
- Kelburne: 1st Western: Gay Keaveney, Enda Glynn, Paul Scannell, David Walsh; 2nd South Munster: Derek O’Gorman, Cian Holland, Ciaran Coyne, Tom McCarthy; 3rd Holders: BJ O’Brien, Conor Boland, Terry Walsh, Bríd Kemple Full results
- Bankers: 1st South Munster: Bernie O’Halloran, Dermot Lucey, David Sheehan, Pat Twomey; 2nd Eastern: Ronan Nolan, Emer Roberts, Collette Maher, Pawel Turczynowicz; 3rd Dublin South: Ciara Gleeson, Margaret McConville, Mary Whooley, Lillian Swaine Full results
- Tierney: 1st Dublin South: Gary Beirne, Niamh Boyle, Colin Kelly, Nessa Neilson; 2nd Eastern: Kathryn Ryan, Christine Heath, Tim Furlong, Frances Donnelly; 3rd North Eastern: Melissa Brady, Sinead McCann, Mary Maguire, Kathleen McCabe Full results
The Marie Cummins Trophy for the best overall region performance went to Dublin South Region. Thanks to all who took part, and to our TDs Fearghal O’Boyle (Kelburne), Huey Daly (Bankers), and Bernard Higgins (Tierney). All concerned commented that was great to see serious competitive bridge back live at the table. It was a shame that some regions were not represented in any of the events, but obviously there were particular circumstances in play this season, with some not holding any qualifiers, for example. Hopefully next year we will be back to a full slate of entries.
Kelburne Cup Winners 2022
Bankers Trophy Winners 2022
Tierney Trophy Winners 2022
Our Lady Milne Trophy team of Lucy Phelan & Dolores Gilliland, Valarie Burke-Moran & Ann O’Connell, and Sandra Newell & Carol-Ann Cummins, under NPC Diarmuid Reddan, won three of their five matches in the tournament in Wales over the weekend. Unfortunately, the wins were all by narrow margins, while there was a heavy defeat to England, with the result that the team finished in fourth place. Scotland came with a late run to pip England to the title on the final board.