Interprovincials 2013 Athlone

It looks like the Interprovincials are just finishing up in Athlone. Leinster captained by Bert McKay will win the Open Series  backboned by the O'Briain brothers with former Connacht star James Heneghan assisted by Dublin Norths well known bridge teacher Ranald Milne on Team 1. Juniors David Synnott and Hugh Gormally supported by Mid Leinsters best David Redmond and Liam Gaynor made up Team 2. Terry Walsh Brid Kemple Aoife McHale and Peter Goodman made up the 3rd Leinster Team.

A badly injury hit Connacht team were never at the races and the 3 Connacht teams total failed to match Leinsters top team. This team needs to get into training for next season starting now or else ressurect the old lads from the past who used to rule the interprovincials with an iron fist except of course when Team Silver lads were available of course.

Leinster historically always fielded a limited team and this year was no different. Usually a decent Dublin South Team , a medium team such as best Leinsters in the Kelbourne and maybe a Ladies Team. This years 12 players featured some juniors and some Mid Leinster region and some Lady Milne trialists.

Connacht need to resign the Dublin North resident James Heneghan quickly. No point in having your strongest player backboning the strongest province. Thats why Ferguson only sold his duds to the other top 4 teams.
Team Munster came roaring back into contention after a weak start in the first 2 matches. Johnny Phelan went to bed early and got up early this morning and went for a spin on the walking machine.
You have to admire that final round of Munsters. However the damage was done in Round 1 and 2. Mind you they were playing the injury hit and demoralized Connacht battlers.
Ulster fired on and off but overall they had too many matches lost. Ulster also were missing some of their bigger guns but people cannot play every event.
I was supposed to play a couple of matches in this event as a substitute for CBAI President but in the end he did not travell and put in a substitute.
Well done Team Leinster Open.

Connacht did win the Inter B interprovincials so there is good hope for the future of Connacht bridge. Leinster need to work on their strategy for next years Inter B interprovicials.

I wonder what is the selection procedure for Interprovincials. I presume one has to enter the various national events to get a look in so as a tournament director I would not be in the running.

www.fob.ie  has the information on this event assisted by bridge.silvertexter.eu

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I think next weekend is Lady Milne Trials and maybe Dundalk Congress .. and after that comes Kilkenny Bridge Congress.
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I played some BBO web version robots yesterday with Emer Joyce and the robots seem much improved.