The ever popular Jim O’Sullivan was officially inaugurated as the new CBAI President at the recent CBAI AGM in Donegal Town.  Good Luck Jim and well done to outgoing President Pat Duff on a great year.

 

Happy Birthday Carrie….is she 64? 74? or 84?

 

 

My Big Little Brother passed away peacefully on Monday night at the very young age of 55.   As you can see he got all the ‘good looks’.  Seamus had not been in good health for some time so this is a happy release for him.   Many thanks to those of you who have been so kind as to send your condolences,    May he Rest in Peace.

 

 

The CBAI will be adopting the new ‘World Bridge Federation Laws of Bridge’ as and from September 1st this year.  As there are a few significant changes, FOB will hold the first of his updates for Tournament Directors on Saturday 27th May in Templeogue Bridge Centre (12 noon to 4 p.m).  This will be a most valuable opportunity to have the new changes explained as well as affording you the opportunity to have some of the existing laws clarified.  If you would like to attend then please email [email protected] or phone 01-4929666.  All welcome.

For those who can’t wait til then.

 

 

The CBAI will be adopting the new ‘World Bridge Federation Laws of Bridge’ as and from September 1st this year.  As there are a few significant changes, FOB will hold the first of his updates for Tournament Directors this coming Saturday 27th May in Templeogue Bridge Centre (12 noon to 4 pm).  This will be a most valuable opportunity to have the new changes explained as well as affording you the opportunity to have some of the existing laws clarified.  If you would like to attend then please email [email protected] or phone 01-4929666.  All welcome.  Very few places left…..

For those who can’t wait til then.

 

 

 

 

Pa O’Flaherty RIP

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing the affable and extremely popular Pa O’Flaherty.  In his heyday, Pa was ‘Mr. Bridge’ in Ireland, being involved at Club, Regional and National Level.  Bridge as we know it today, owes a tremendous amount of gratitude to the unselfish dedication and hard work of Pa.   His skills as a Tournament Director are legendary, and we in the current crop will never experience the charisma, popularity, love and respect that he earned from his players.  He taught us that it was possible to be efficient and in control while still ensuring that the players enjoyed their game.  He had that wonderful elusive skill of being able to penalise you in such a way that you actually enjoyed it.   Despite his 91 years, Pa embraced computers and modern technology with open arms and was among one of the first computer scorers in the country.  His subtle contributions to fostering good relations between the NIBU and the CBAI may never receive the wide acknowledgement that they deserve.  On a personal note, I was privileged to have had many occasions to work alongside my mentor ‘Pa’ in my early years.

We extend our deepest sympathies to his daughters Deirdre and Grania and their families.

 

 

It is with great sadness that we report the sudden death of our dear friend Ciara Burns.  Everyone loved Ciara.  As well as being one of the top bridge players in Ireland, Ciara also possessed that rare gift of being down to earth and friendly as well.  Her bubbly, cheerful disposition was infectious and we were all taken by the fact someone so nice could also be so good.  Despite her very young age, Ciara was a multiple winner of most major national titles and also played at international level representing Northern Ireland in the Lady Milne and also in the Camrose Championships.  She was also selected to represent Ireland to play in the European Championships on three occasions.

Ciara, as well as reaching the top of her game, was also very generous with her time, being willing to help up and coming players and also prepared to get involved in the administration of the game, culminating in her becoming President of the Irish Bridge Union.  Ciara will by now have met up with the two people she missed so much – her father Hugh and her best friend Mary Finn.  

We will all miss Ciara and her wonderful laugh.  We extend our heartfelt sympathies to her mother Anne, brother Paul, and the rest of her family and to her broken hearted wide circle of friends.   May she rest in peace.

 

 

We are sad to report the passing of Margaret Leonard – as well as being a loyal supporter of bridge in Sligo over many years, she was also a past Captain of many of our Clubs – and she will also be fondly remembered for setting many fashion trends.  More importantly, Margaret was as helpful to newer members as she was elegant.  May she rest in peace.  Funeral Arrangements:

 

We also note the passing of one of our former members Audrey Doyle.  We extend our sympathies to her family.

 

 

Tom Hanlon in winning form again

Heartiest congratulations to Tom Hanlon on winning the Copenhagen Invitational Pairs Championship.  This was a star studded event where the top 20 pairs in the world are invited to compete against each other every two years.  Tom was playing with Canadian supremo Vince Demuy.

 

Welcome home Eileen after your long trip to visit your first Grandson Jack in Australia.  The club has been very quiet without you…..

 

Irish Bridge Union – Simultaneous Pairs  (Well done Tommy and George)

Well done to Hugh McCafferty and Stephen Clarke who finished a brilliant 28th out of 1000 in the recent Monday Night IBU Sim Pairs and even bigger congratulations to Tommy Banks and George Brennan who finished 7th in All-Ireland heat on Wednesday night.

 

 

 

RECENT  PASSINGS:

The Bridge World is sorry to learn of the passing of another ‘Bridge Giant’ John Cunningham.  As well as being a top level player, teacher, tournament director, past CBAI President, John was also a dedicated Bridge Administrator both at regional and national level.  His charismatic personality meant he was able to lead where others were afraid to go and their are many who have incredible stories to recant about his success at promoting and encouraging many successful bridge projects.

 

Siobháin O’Doherty RIP

We are deeply saddened to learn that Siobháin O’Doherty, beloved daughter of Phelim and Bridie died  unexpectedly.  We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Phelim and Bridie and also to Shane, Grainne (McCaughey), Phelim (jnr.) and Deirdre.  May Siobháin Rest in Peace.  

Phelim, Bridie and family would like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who offered support in any shape or form at this difficult time.   As always it is touching to see how the Bridge Community rally round when one of their family is in need of support.

 

We extend our deepest sympathies to Marie and Ronnie Kelly and family on the passing of their daughter Edel Behan.  May she rest in peace.  You are in our prayers.  

 

We are shocked to learn of the death of Paddy Duggan – a naturally gifted card player who had just recently turned his attentions to Bridge -and recently winning the Regional Inter ‘B’ Championship at his first attempt with his brother Brendan.  We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Pat and brother Brendan and all his family.  May he rest in peace.

Bill Mullins RIP

It is with deep regret that we report the sad news that Mr. Bill Mullins of Tralee has passed away.  Billy was one of our National Tournament Directors for many years and a pioneer in leading us into this modern era of computer scoring.  His skills as a competent, wise, kind, helpful, considerate tournament director are legendary.   His affable directing qualities made him ideally suited to organising the many many ‘Mary Walsh’ bridge holidays over the years.  Billy was a very popular director and together with his late wife Peg they ran a great show wherever they went.  He was an inspiration as well as a mentor to all of our current crop of tournament directors.  Billy also served his time as a bridge administrator not only at local level but also at national level where he served on the CBAI Executive Committee and the National Tournament & Play Committee.   He is also one of the very few Irish Tournament Directors to have been invited to direct at European Championship level.  Despite reaching such dizzy heights Billy never forgot his roots and was affectionately known as ‘Mr Tralee’.  Indeed to honour his outstanding unselfish contribution to bridge in Ireland he was the recipient of this year’s CBAI ‘President’s Award’ – the official presentation ceremony being due to take place next week in his beloved Tralee.  He will be sadly missed by those of us who had the pleasure to have met him.  We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.  May he rest in peace.

We are shocked to learn of the death of Norma Perceval Price – a great supporter of all bridge events here in the South of Ireland.  We extend our deepest sympathies to her husband Bill and their family.  May she rest in peace.

Another member of our bridge community passed away last week – Helen Kerrin – we extend our deepest sympathies to her family.  May she rest in peace.

We extend our deepest sympathies to Liz Sweeney on the recent death of her husband Tony.  May he rest in peace.

We are sorry to learn of the passing of our good friend Paddy Morrissey (Navan Road, Dublin)  – Paddy and Phil were great supporters of our Yeats Country Congress over the years as well as supporting other congresses around the country.  May he rest in peace.

We are also saddened to hear that another good friend of our Noel Condon (Tipperary) passed away recently.  We have fond memories of Noel and his sister Doreen McInerney (former CBAI President) both at and away from the bridge table.  May he rest in peace.