CROSSWORD

No 1,534

TO ENTER Complete the crossword and count how many times the letter ‘A’ appears in the grid. Post your entry to YOU Crossword No 1,534, PO Box 5332, Cardiff Lane, Dublin 2. Closing date is Friday, March 31. One random winner from all correct entries will win €100 and five runners-up will win €25 each. Winners will be notified within 14 days. Solution in two weeks.

6 Star of Raging Bull, Casino and Mean Streets (surname) (2,4)

8 Conceived, envisaged (8)

10 French river that was the site of battles during the First World War (5)

11 According to the song, you should pack up your troubles in your old one (3,3)

12 Jacob’s brother (4)

13 Largest city in the US state of Maryland (9)

15 Acclaim, celebrity, fame (7)

17 Describe, report, narrate (7)

19 What someone who is chronically unwell suffers from (3,6)

22 Volcano in Sicily (4)

23 Floral arrangement for a funeral (6)

24 Rod, the Australian tennis player who won the Grand Slam twice (5) 25 Comic book superhero (8) 26 As used in nonstick saucepans (6)

1 (and 9, 14 down) Proverb suggesting that difficult situations inspire ingenious solutions (9,2,3,6,2,9)

2 Ceremonious, conventional (6)

3 African country which has Monrovia as its capital (7)

4 Strength of character, resolve (8)

5 US state which joined the Union in 1845 (5) 7 Disobedient (13) 9 See 1 down 14 See 1 down 16 US state which joined the Union in 1907 (8) 18 Lie back (7) 20 Inappropriate lack of seriousness (6)

21 The founder of psychoanalysis (surname) (5)