CRYPTIC/QUICK CROSSWORD

NO.653

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.653, 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.652 is Patrick J Byrne, Hacketstown Road, Co. Carlow.

CRYPTIC CLUES Across

8 Bright colour makes church ascend (6) 9 The first deed, not quite so undiplomatic (8) 10 French wine gets lad drunk – rings for a curry (8) 11 Batsman useful in the kitchen? (6) 12 Conscious of later development (5) 13 Old friend put on a stone (4) 14 Rib cooked with English cheese (4) 16 Dog right for underground worker (7) 18 Pack an alternative to European food (7) 20 Hide anger with an impression (4) 21 Tiny part of a cat (4) 22 Small fruit becomes a weapon (5) 25 Absolute space with flag (6) 27 Enclosure for prison keys (8) 28 Boar deployed genuine sloth, for instance (8) 29 Choose quiet mention (6)

Down

1 Periodical student follows Aries around (6) 2 Building recalled in folk tale (10) 3 Answer about work (5) 4 Irritable, heartless sailor has sentimental exterior (7) 5 Mark has snack, biting top part of display (6,3) 6 Payment includes pound for escape (4) 7 Changing seat – hazard for a star (8) 14 Traveller takes sponsor around store (10) 15 Bit of poetry about tree follows hard test (9) 17 Gold coin – unknown but not special (8) 19 Firm and healthy, accommodating British instrument (7) 23 Sportsman finds perspective by river (6) 24 Good pear recipe reveals fruit (5) 26 Press club (4)