The 2008 Home International Series

Team Profiles :Tom Hanlon and Hugh McGann

Born 1967 and originally from Rochfortbridge, Co. Westmeath, Tom (aka “Kinder”), now living in Dublin, has been playing bridge since 1981.  He got his nickname Kinder while playing in Budapest in 1986.  When chatting to a gorgeous barmaid, who was rebuking his amorous advances, all she could mutter was “kinder” – and he still has that look about him.  In 2004 he became Ireland’s youngest Grand Master (only one of 7).  Kinder moved straight from the Irish Junior Team to the Irish Open Team in 1994, following which he regularly represented Ireland in International events.  Having 25 National titles under his belt he has won the Camrose (3 times), the Lederer (twice), European Open Teams quarterfinalist in 2003 and 2005, Olympiad quarterfinalist in 2004 and European Team Silver medallist in 2006.

When not playing bridge Tom is fond of the odd game of poker!

Also aged 39 (but older than Tom) from Fermoy, Co. Cork now living in Leeds, Hugh works as a doctor specialising in infectious diseases.  He formed a partnership with Tom Hanlon in 1991 and won a silver medal in the E.U. Junior Pairs in 1993.  He has shared Tom’s recent successes with the Irish Open Team.  Four years ago Hugh spent some time in Australia.  Here began his love affair with that country which culminated in the Gold Congress of 2005 in Surfers Paradise, where he met Fiona Brown.  A few months later Fiona moved to Leeds to be with Hugh.  They just missed out on a medal, finishing 4th in the 2006 World Mixed Pairs in Verona.