In normal circumstances, the European qualification spots for the World Championships are decided via the European Championships themselves. Because of COVID, it was not possible to hold the European Championships this time around, so the EBL has decided on a special qualification tournament, to be held on RealBridge with the players playing in their home country under the supervision of an appointed neutral observer.
The Irish entrants will be operating out of the Templeogue Bridge Centre, apart from Hugh McGann who is currently in New Zealand, and has received special permission to play from there (again under strict supervision). We are sure you will join us in wishing them the best of luck. Our teams are:
- Open (starting 23 August): Tom Hanlon, Hugh McGann, Nick FitzGibbon, Adam Mesbur, John Carroll, Mark Moran, NPC Gráinne Barton
- Women (starting 25 August): Jeannie Fitzgerald, Joan Kenny, Rebecca Brown, Gilda Pender, Hilary McDonagh, Siobhán Part, NPC Bríd Kemple
- Senior (starting 23 August): BJ O’Brien, Ranald Milne, Terry Walsh, Peter Goodman, Enda Glynn, Gay Keaveney, NPC Derek O’Gorman
- Mixed (starting 24 August): Carol-Ann Cummins, John Noonan, Louise Mitchell, David Walsh, Sandra Newell, Michael McAuliffe, NPC Harold Curran
The World Championships are scheduled for Salsomaggiore Terme, Italy, from 27 March to 9 April, 2022.
Unfortunately it will not be possible to kibitz this event in person, but RealBridge does offer a time-delayed online kibitzing facility. The daily sessions will start at 09:00 Irish time. You’ll find the EBL microsite with all the details, the playing schedule, and the updated results, here.