Sligo Bridge Congress 2019

Good morning or evening folks

The Fearghal extravaganza is upon us. I hear several Malahides mentioning they are going on their annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Fearghal just beside the funny mountain with no peak.
One woman cannot go as her leg is hurt and thus she cannot climb some Gullion mountain.
All the others are going because they love either BRIDGE or SLIGO or Fearghal.

Now Fearghal just sits on his throne and directs operations. There are loads of Sligo and further afield folk motoring in the background sorting out all sorts of stuff. I don't know their names but Fearghal knows them all.

However Sligo better beware as the Malahides are coming. They will be telling about their own extravaganza next March in the Grand Hotel Malahide. First weekend in March I think.
The Carabines are coming and the Dolan as well and a few others in the B Pairs.
However they will find the going much tougher down the country. All these opponents are well groomed by Fearghal and Mairead and come armed with Stayman and Lebensohl hatchets.

Then in the A pairs the Malahide assault continues .. The Deane squad along with Rachel one of the Malahide Congress leaders. There is also the men from Mayo McHale and Cunningham.
Cunningham has been ruling the Monday morning Malahide game with an iron fist for the last few months. He is also the fastest player in Malahide. The cards just fly off the table. Sometimes the opponents don't get to quit their last trick or 2 before the flying Mark has another trick in the bag.
However they will find the opponents armed with extra Lebensohl and some Keycard Blackwood axes from Fearghal and Maireads Monday night training sessions.

We don't have many Congress Pairs entrants yet but the Ronans and Kelly Rogers will fly the flag.
No sign of Thomas Gilligan this weekend but he must be busy elsewhere. However there is time yet to get more entries. Delaney Brady and Boland Raymaeker will give the Congress Pairs a good run.
There is also the unknown (to me) capabilities of Brown and Pender. One should also beware of the unknown 3NT convention axe wielder Kelan O'Connor. He claims no agreement but 3NT to play is an agreement. Fearghal will be checking all 3NTs declared by South and removing all tops gained by the agreement.

I hear some thunder outside.

This morning I took on Magic Murphy at bridge. I barely got over the line in a tight finish.
Tonight Magic Murphy will showcase his talents to Malahide Regional Bridge Club.
I made a big mistake in forgetting to be aware of a long spade in the West hand on a 3NT where I was heading for 11 tricks ... ended up with 8.
However my extra class was able to outrun the Murphy by a few imps ... 4 I think.
The video is here

Galligan v Magic Murphy June 6th 2019

No sign of any Malahides in the Congress teams but Zrinka is arriving with Pat McDaids fridge.
Michael O'Kane is definitely playing .. He is entered on 2 teams. Or could there possibly be 2 Mickael O'Kanes.

Sligo Congress 2019 Brochure.

No Inter A teams ... How weird is that
What will the Deane squad do on Sunday.