The 2015 fixture for the Cantor-Dowling Shield was held at the Deva Bridge Club, Chester, in May 2015. Dublin South was represented by:
Open Team: Sean O'Lubaigh, Martin Brady, Heidi Lillis, Michael McGloughlin.
Ladies Team: Pat Ryan, Pat McMahon, Ann Fitzgerald, Mary Stanley.
Club Team: Cathy Bearpark, Dermot O'Brien, Steve Bearpark, Brendan Curran.
Officials Team: Rory Egan (Captain), Sheila Horkan, Perdita Quinlan, Seamus Dowling.
The match started poorly for the visiting team, who found themselves well adrift after the first session. Following a stern lecture from the Captain, the team regrouped to make up a good deal of the deficit in session two. This good performance was maintained into the third and final session, and Dublin South found themselves with a narrow lead with two rounds to go. This narrow lead evaporated on the second-last set, and, remarkably, going into the final round, after 275 boards had been played, the scores were dead level. Unfortunately, the final set was lost by a small margin, and Liverpool took a slim 10-9 lead in the cumulative standings.
Our thanks to the Merseyside & Cheshire Bridge Association for their very kind hospitality. The venue and administration were superb, the catering prepared by the wonderful Angie, ably assisted by her sister Heather, met with universal approval, and nothing was too much trouble for our hosts. We look forward to welcoming them to Dublin next year and to levelling the cumulative series.
Some photos from the fixture are included above, including the moment when Rory Egan, on behalf of Dublin South, presented the Cantor-Dowling Shield to the victorious Liverpool captain, Dave Keen.
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