CRYPTIC/QUICK CROSSWORD

Here’s your chance to win a Collins Concise English Dictionary. Complete the crossword using

either the cryptic or the quick clues and send it to us with your name and address. Send your solution to: Cryptic/Quick Crossword No.621, The Irish Mail on Sunday, PO Box 5332, Cardiff Lane, Dublin 2. Entries must be received by Thursday. The winner will be drawn from a hat. The winner of Cryptic/Quick Crossword No.620 is Tom Deegan, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. CRYPTIC CLUES Across 8 Student meant to compose a sad song (6) 9 Father learnt to play – that’s just like him (8) 10 Grating is posted, getting the first free (8) 11 Tempt hospital department with diamonds (6) 12 Bishop to attack a hairstyle (5) 13 Strength of character makes old king object (4) 14 Starts to bring reinforcements into Mexico’s border (4) 16 Air has diameter and dimension (7) 18 Mean to declare time (7) 20 Doesn’t sound like fast food (4) 21 Bound to behold exercise (4) 22 Bird went to church as a consequence (5) 25 Report no deviation in the Channel (6) 27 Follow success with initial defeat, getting helping hand (8) 28 Idiots put limit on some paper (8) 29 Wear down a bard, translating English (6) Down 1 Count as a subject under consideration (6) 2 Authorised to run away with one friend (10) 3 Tough stuff getting a bargain, by the sound of it (5) 4 Nouveau riche puts off painting (7) 5 Observant one in organised event after a race (9) 6 Jog out of bistro, tentatively (4) 7 Hearing can be infectious (8) 14 Prickly telegram used as a defence measure (6,4) 15 His cattle are involved in a number of events (9) 17 Story-telling in correspondence (8) 19 Elegy for pie sent on wrong path (7) 23 Is woman able to get some land? (6) 24 I call out for some shade (5) 26 Friend to agree to take top off (4)