Ashbourne Bridge Club

Over the last two weeks I have been directing in the Presidents Prize in Ashbourne Bridge Club. The venue is the Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA premises. I had a look around outside and noted the presence of a a stand beside the pitch with approximately 400 seats .. 77 seats by 5 rows and then some standing room at the back. Also the pitch can clearly be seen and watched from the bar/function room area.. A nice place for a relatively small GAA centre. I personally recall being driven 75 miles to the back end of Donegal to stand in the lashing rain to watch Cavan Gaels get destroyed by St Kierans one Sunday. I have a vague memory of the score being 5-8 to 0-3 at half time and some dude called Kevin Keeney at corner forward doing the business.
Anyway back to the bridge. The players land and pull out their gear from a back room .. Tables and chairs and clothes and a box of cards/paperwork. They set the whole lot up and are ready to go. First night started at 1930 with a draw for partners. Then play starts at 1940. 24 boards later we called a halt at 2230.
2nd night we started at 1930 and at 1023 decided on going a final round so 26 boards completed by 2245 and most of the tables packed away.
26 boards played in 3 hours 15 minutes and everything packed away. Thats the way bridge should be played. I recall a night when it was 1130pm in the Regent and we not finished the 26 boards.
The President is Mr Pat Moyles

I had a similar experience in Whitehall Bridge Club where Mother Moyles and son John Moyles play.
Started at 1930 and 24 boards later in 8 matches of 3 boards and first players out the door about 2210.
Everything packed away and last person out the door at 1030pm.

So in short we spend too long playing too few boards in the purpose built bridge clubs. Imagine if we had to pack away 40 tables in Malahide after a Wednesday night. We need to pick up the speed. Even international bridge is played at 16 boards in 2 hours 5 minutes.

Thanks
Eamon Galligan