Dear all,

We will be holding an information session for all of the clubs in the Western Region on Friday evening, 27th September at 7:30 pm in Galway Bridge Centre.
In this session, I will give each secretary the information packs for your club. The session will be followed by refreshments and a game of bridge.

Regards,

Margaret Forde

Western Region Secretary

087 224 2008

margaret.forde1@gmail.com

Wishing Florence McNamara, Portumna 79 Bridge Club the best of luck as President of the Western Region.

A great performance by Galway in the annual CBAI President's kick-off event to the 2019/20 season.

The event took place in Westmanstown, Open Pairs, over 3 sessions with 119 pairs partaking.

Congratulations to the prize winners pictured with Neil Burke president of the CBA 2019/20:

See detailed results here:

May O' Sullivan and Colette Mulhern on finishing 4th in the overall event.

Liam Faherty and Deirdre O' Halloran in finishing 2nd place in the Regional Masters section

Margaret McCarthy and Declan Harte in finishing in 1st place in the A2 section.

Well done to the Galway competitors in the Team/4 event in the Limerick Congress which took place on Sunday 20th October 2019, in the Greenhills Hotel, Limerick.
See detailed results here:

2nd Place Overall

Session Prize

Intermediate Winners

Congratulations to Enda Glynn on finishing in second place in the Master Team/4 (Terry Walsh & Brid Kemple, Michelle Moloney & Enda Glynn ) event at the  Drogheda Congress.

The national mixed pairs open events (Pairs and Teams) took place in Templeogue Bridge Centre 19th /20th October 2019. It had the biggest turn out ever and thanks to our "Class" players in Galway, we featured in both competitions.

Spiro Cup (National Mixed Pairs) 123 Pairs

A super performance by Joan Kenny and Enda Glynn in finishing 3rd in the Mixed Pairs out of a line up of 123 pairs.
Also well done to Deirdre O Halloran and Liam Faherty on finishing in 12th place and just pipped for a Regional Master prize.

Joan Kenny, President Neil Burke and Enda Glynn

Coen Cup- Team of 4 event-67 Tables

A close finish in the T/4 event with our Galway competitiors finishing in 5th place.

President Neil Burke, Joan Kenny, Gay Keaveney, Enda Glynn and Teresa Rigney (missing in picture)

The Camrose trials qualifiers to play for the Irish team against England, Scotland,Wales and Northern Ireland took place over the October Bank Holiday Weekend. This year it was decided to run the qualifier over just one weekend but over the three days on the Bank Holiday weekend. There were 7 rounds of 24 board matches.

Two of our players from Galway competed in the event, Team Walsh with  David Walsh and Enda Glynn along with their teammates Peter Pigot and Karel deReaeymaeker. It was a close finish but unfortunately, the Walsh team were pipped finishing in 2nd place.  In the actual pairing results, David and Enda finished in 3rd place out of all the pairings which shows what a good fight they put up .  I am hopeful they will be called for first reserves.

See results below and detailed results and hands and more information on here.

Congratulations to Enda Glynn who won the Dundalk Congress T/4 with partner Michelle Moloney and teammates Michael MacDonagh (former member of Tribes BC) & Liz Taaffe.

Enda and Michelle also finished 4th in the Congress Pairs.

Enda and Gay Keaveney also won the Dongeal T/4   the previous week, and with finishing 2nd in the recent Camrose Trials, it is surely appropriate to say that Enda is on a roll!

Link to Final ranking, scores, and hand records can be found here.

Paul J Scannell, 9th November 2019

Ballinrobe Bridge Club:Western Pride Cup 
Sunday 17th Nov 2019, 5pm
Cranmor Centre, Neale Road, Ballinrobe
Complimentary Refreshments including wine:
Contact Angela Murphy 087 204 5488

The Inter-provincials took place in Cavan 16th/17th November 2019, in the Cavan Crystal Hotel.

Each province was represented by 12 players (3 teams of 4) and a separate category for, Intermediate A, Area Master and Open.

The Inter A team from Connaught had 6/12 players from Co Galway;  Rhona Bolger, Margaret Forde, Norma O Connel, Geraldine Carrol, Patricia Eames and Kay Duddy and additional six players from Roscommon and Sligo.
Connaught put up a good fight and finished in third place which is an improvement on last year, see detailed results here.

The Area Master team had no representatives from Galway, they finished in fourth place, see detailed results here.

The Open team from Connaught had 12/12 players form Co Galway, put up a really good fight (winners in 2018) but unfortunately were beaten and finished in 2nd place, see detailed results here.

A super performance by Margaret McCarthy and Declan Harte winning the Western Pride Cup in Ballinrobe Bridge Club for the 2nd year in a row, 41 pairs competed.
Pictured left to right: Angela Murphy (Organiser), Margaret McCarthy, Mary Gallagher (President of Ballinrobe BC) and Declan Harte

National Pairs Qualifier

Sunday 1st December at 2pm and 7pm. 
Venue Galway Bridge Centre, St. Mary's Road.
Finals to be held in the Hudson Bay Hotel in March 21/22
Please let Margaret Forde -
Margaret.forde1@gmail.com
087 224 2008
by Friday 29th November. 

Charity Bridge Evening

(In aid of St. Vincent de Paul)

Venue: Árd Rí Hotel-Milltown Rd.

Date: Sunday December 8 at 3p.m.

You are cordially invited to attend

Lots of prizes and big raffle!

Mary McGagh (President)

                           087 779 4433

12 of the top Irish and International pairs were in action for the 3rd edition of the Premier Pairs.  The pairs played  a grueling 176 boards against each other over the 3 days and could be viewed online,
ridge Base Online (BBO)

Adam Mesbur & Nick Fitzgibbon,  Tom Hanlon & Hugh McGann,  Peter Goodman & Mike Pownall,  Cian Holland & Anna Onishuk,  Rex Anderson & David Greenwood,  Thomas MacCormac & Ronan McMaugh,  B.J. O’Brien & Dan McIntosh,  Micheal O’Briain & Padraig O’Briain,  Gay Keaveney & Enda Glynn,  Ciaran Coyne & Donal MacAonghusa,  John Carroll and Mark Moran,  Eddie Fitzgerald & Michael MacDonagh.

Both Gay and Enda from Galway put up a good fight but unfortunately, things didn't go their way. Congratulations to the top Premier pair Tom Hanlon and Hugh McGann , see results on FOB here

Fearghal O Boyle

A super victory for Declan Harte and Margaret McCarthy at the Kilkenny Congress winning both the Intermediate Pairs and Team events.

Pictured left to right: Margaret McCarthy, Declan Harte, President of the CBAI John Burle, and their teammates Mary & John Bourke (right).

Congress Teams

Congratulations to Joan Kenny on wining the Congress Teams, with her teammates Jeannie Fitzgerald, Louise Mitchell and Siobhan Part.  

See Kilkenny Congres Results here

Well done to Margaret McCarthy and Declan Harte on finishing in third place in the Intermediate Pairs section.

See the results and details here.

Our players from the west put up a terrific fight in the playoff for a place to represent Ireland in the Seniors Camrose (Teltscher Trophy) which will take place in May 2020.

Gay Keaveney/Enda Glynn with Michael McDonagh & Pat McDevitt finished in 2nd place.

Well done to Joan Kenny and her team on finishing in third place.

See more result details here.

Congratulations to the following people who qualified in the Regional Pairs event which took place on Sunday, December 1st.

These pairs will now partake in the National Pairs final which will take place in Athlone, March 21st and 22nd in the Hudson Bay Hotel

We wish them the best of luck.

Pictured left to right: Billy Cunniffe, Michael Brennan, Marian Croke, Neil Burke, Maria Whelan, Rose White and Michael Waldron

Congratulations to Billy Cunniffe and Michael Waldron and their teammates Marion Croke and Maria Whelan on wining the Congress teams at the Waterford Congress Jan 5th 2020. 

Michael Waldron & William Billy Cunniffe also performed well in the Congress Pairs finishing  ​​​​​4th (of 44)

Well done to Declan Harte & Margaret McCarthy continued their recent excellent form with several good performances as follows:

3rd (of 48) in the Mixed Pairs

5th (of 49) in the Intermediate Pairs Championship

16th (of 28) in the Congress Teams

See results on full Waterford Congress here

Paul J Scannell, 5th January 2020

It is with much sadness that we advise you of the recent passing of Ros(amund) Jennings former secretary of the Western Region for a number of years. May she Rest In Peace. 

Funeral arrangements as per RIP.

The death has occurred of Rosamund Jennings (née Carley Read) Corcullen, Galway Rosamund Jennings (Peacefully) at home, surrounded by her loving family, beloved wife of Gerard and much loved mother of Marion, Bridget, Tara, John and Mark. Sadly missed by her husband and children, brother Rowland, sons-in-law Nigel, Simon and David, daughter-in-law Leyla, her adored grandchildren Keira, Ryan, Aisling and Leo, extended family, neighbours and friends. Reposing at the O' Flaherty Funeral Parlour, Munster Avenue, Galway (H91V1K8) on Tuesday, 14th January, from 4.30 p.m. with Removal at 7.00 p.m. to St Jame's Church, Bushypark. Requiem Mass on Wednesday, 15th January at 11.00 a.m. followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. Family flowers only. 'May her gentle soul rest in peace'.

Photo:Paul Scannell

NATIONAL TEAMS QUALIFIER SUNDAY 9th February 2020 @ 2pm In Galway Bridge Centre, St Marys Road

• INTERMEDIATE B’S or Novice

• INTERMEDIATE A’S

• MASTERS

TWO TEAMS TO QUALIFY FROM INTER As AND Bs.

AND THIS YEAR AN ADDITIONAL MASTER TEAM CAN QUALIFY.

FINALS TO BE HELD IN THE HODSON BAY, ATHLONE IN APRIL 25/26. ENTRIES BY FRIDAY 7th FEBRUARY

Margaret: 087 224 2008
Email: margaret.forde1@gmail.com

A super performance by Lynn Duffy and Deirdre O' Halloran at the CBAI national womens pairs and teams which took place in Clane. 

Both Lynn and Deirdre won the regional master pairs section and finished in 6th place in the overall event in the CBAI national pairs (Jackson Cup), 52 pairs in total.

In the CBAI national womens team event (McMenamin Bowl), Lynn and Deirdre with Collette Mulhern and May O' Sullivan finished in 10th place out of 55 teams.  

An outstanding performance by our junior player (age 16) Isabel Burke who won the Intermediate A section with her partner Sheila Walsh (Jackson Cup).

Congratulations to Gay Keaveney along with his teammates Ranald K Milne, BJ O'Brien, and Martin Jones in finishing in 2nd place in the mens team event  (Geraldine Trophy).

The IBU team trials took place at the weekend in Cavan 25th/26th Jan 2020.

Congratulations to Joan Kenny and her teammates Teresa Rigney, Diane Greenwood, and Jeannie Fitzgerald who finished in 2nd place in round one of the two-round event of the womens teams trials.

Congratulations to David Walsh, Ciaran Coyne, Gay Keaveney, Enda Glynn, Tommy Garvey, Donal MacAonghusa who also finished in 2nd place in round one of the two-round event of the open teams trials.

We wish both teams the best of luck for round two of the trials due to take place in Dublin 8th Feb.

Well done to Margaret McCarthy and Decan Harte on finishing in 2nd place (46 pairs) in the Intermediate Pairs competition at the Cork Congress.

Well done to all the western region competitors who featured in the Ennis Congress at the weekend.

Joan Kenny and Enda Glynn on coming 2nd in the Congress Mixed pairs on Friday night, Enda also finished in fifth place with Deirdre O'Halloran in the Congress pairs on Saturday.

Patricia Eames and Kay Duddy on finishing in 2nd place in the Open Pairs on Friday night.

Margaret McCarthy and Declan Harte with their partners Harry Naaijkens & Joann Haaijkens on winning the best Inter A team within the Congress Team/4 event on Sunday  

A wonderful achievement by Isabel Burke who has been selected to represent Ireland for the Junior Home Internationals (Camrose).
Isabel, age 15(Clare Burke's granddaughter) will play in Wales with her partner Sheila Walsh (over 21), Feb 14th-16th.

See full details below from the CBAI:

Junior Home International Teams 
The following have been selected to represent Ireland at the upcoming Peggy Bayer & Junior Camrose Trophies (the Under-21 and Under-26 home internationals, respectively), to be held in the University of South Wales Campus, in Newport, Wales, over the weekend of 14-16 February. Peggy Bayer Trophy (Under-21): Adam Murphy & Matthew Farrell, Conor Totterdell & Luca Crone, Denise Walsh & Leah Finnegan, with Margaret Murphy as Non-Playing Captain. Junior Camrose Trophy (Under-26): Conor Boland & Michael Donnelly, Isabel Burke & Sheila Walsh, John Connolly & Stephen Barr, with Thomas MacCormac as Non-Playing Captain. Some of the players, especially on the Under-26 team, are seasoned veterans, but for a number this will represent their first Irish cap. We are sure you will join us in wishing all of them every success in the event.

Congratulations to those who qualified in the western regional qualifiers which were held on Sunday 9th Feb.

The national finals will take place in the Hudson Bay Hotel in Athlone

Masters Winners: Mary Muldoon /Breege O'Doherty & Marion Coy /Deirdre McCoy

Inter A Winners: Maura Connolly/ Siobhan O'Sullivan  & Pat Ward/Carmel Musitano

Inter A 2nd place:  Norma O'Connell/Geraldine Carroll & Rhona Bolger/Margaret Forde

Note: Gay Keaveney/Enda Glynn & Paul Scannell/David Walshe automatically qualify in the Masters' section as they were the winners last year.

Inter B: Fiona Place/Brendan King & Susan Cranley/Sharon Phelan

Inter B: Carmel Walsh/

Ladies IBU European Trials

A big congratulations to Joan Kenny (Grattan Bridge Club, Galway) who qualified to represent Ireland to play in the European Team of 4 Championship. Joan's team played in the 2nd round of the qualifying  IBU Team/4 trials event over the weekend in Templeogue Feb 8th-9th,2020. They played a grueling total of 112 board matches and won in the last match, nail-biting stuff. We wish Joan Kenny and her teammates Jeannie Fitzgerald, Teresa Rigney & Diane Greenwood the best of luck in the European match.

See detailed results on FOB here

Men's/Open IBU Trials.

Hardluck to our men's team/4 who were beaten.

The Senior IBU European Team/4 trials were held over the weekend.

Hard luck to Gay Keaveney and Enda Glynn and their teammates Rex Amderspm and Pat Barry who finished in 3rd place.

See detailed results here:

The Intermediate Congress took place in Claine this year. A big congratulations to Margaret McCarthy and Declan McCarthy and their teammates Harry & Joann Naaijkens on wining the JJ Kiely Team of 4 event.

See detailed results here

The Galway Brige Congress has been cancelled due to the COVID 19 virus. The congress committee apologises for the inconvenience caused.

Keep safe and hopefully see you in better circumstances, Easter 2021.

Galway Easter Congress, Ardilaun Hotel Fri 10th April- Mon 13th April, see the full schedule here.

Published in the Irish Times, Tuesday 25th Feb 2020

They're Back!

We thought we had lost them, they've been hovering for some time but hip hip hurrah, the helicopter has landed.

A fantastic win by our team from Galway winning the Holmes Wilson Championship 1st/120 teams. The event took place 22nd/23rd Feb 2020 in Mount Wolsely Hotel, Tullow, Co Carlow.
Pictured left to right: Enda Glynn, Gay Keaveney, (President of the CBAI /Neil Burke), David Walsh & Ciaran Coyne.

The Junior Home Internationals (Under 26) and the Peggy Bayer Trophy (Under 21) Camrose tournament took place in Wales over the weekend Feb 14th-16th 2020
 Isabel Burke who is just 15 years only from Galway played in the Junior Camrose (Under 26 )competition with her partner Sheila Walsh (over 21) both debutants to the home internationals had a terrific performance as they won three/three matches.
Ireland finished fourth in the U 26 and third in the U 21.

Pictured left to right: Stephen Barr, Arran Bolger, Thomas McCormac (Captain), Isabel Burke, Conor Boland & Michael Donnelly

Photo, thanks to FOB / Thomas McCormac

Bridge has resumed Online, read more...

A big thank you to Fearghal O' Boyle and his team, Diarmuid Reddan & Mairead Basquille on keeping the show on the ground and running a hugely successful Sligo Congress on BBO.

Circa 8,000 euro was raised and will be donated to charities.  Entry Fee BB$5 per session per person.  Normally Bridge Base Online retains 50% of all entry fees but because this was a Charity Congress they have waived their fees completely so hence 100% of the table money can be divided out amongst the three charities.   

See results in detail of all events on FOB

There was a great presence from our Western Region players, see details below.

From March 14th 2020, all bridge events were cancelled due to the Covid19 pandemic.......