Two- speed coffeebreak

Two sets of clues – but the answers are the same.

Cryptic clues ACROSS

3 A European accepts

British gymnast ( 7)

7 Harm barrier, over many years ( 6)

8 Extend green plan around city ( 7)

9 Hire in Brentwood ( 4)

11 Yearn for wife to join worker ( 4)

12 Behold soldier caught reasoning ( 5) 15 Spades, not new, get auctioned ( 4)

16 Unusual not to be well done ( 4) 17 Inappropriate French article expected ( 5)

18 Become a parent, returning in derision ( 4)

19 Tiny part of a cat ( 4)

21 Surpass a celestial event ( 7) 22 Fish right inside channel ( 6) 23 Pub to profit

from good deal ( 7)

DOWN

1 Border of hedges ( 4)

2 Stone confused mere lad ( 7) 3 Representative time with book ( 5)

4 Incentive to have money ( 4) 5 Rings about traitor joining city composition ( 8) 6 Afterwards to church, as a consequence ( 6) 10 Durable conclusion about old city ( 8)

11 Now overthrow is gained ( 3)

13 Somehow grant me something to wear ( 7)

14 Fired with fury ( 3)

15 Very good policeman on beat, initially ( 6)

18 Severe at the back ( 5)

19 It’s a new drink ( 4)

20 Darts player’s place

in Rochester ( 4)

Quick clues ACROSS

3 Tumbler ( 7) 7 Injury ( 6) 8 Expand ( 7) 9 Lease ( 4)

11 Desire ( 4) 12 Rationality ( 5) 15 Retailed ( 4) 16 Seldom seen ( 4) 17 Unwarranted ( 5) 18 Father ( 4) 19 Particle ( 4) 21 Overshadow ( 7) 22 Ditch ( 6)

23 Haggle ( 7)

DOWN

1 Margin ( 4)

2 Gem ( 7)

3 Broker ( 5)

4 US coin ( 4)

5 Choral piece ( 8) 6 From there ( 6) 10 Lasting ( 8)

11 Was victorious ( 3) 13 Item of clothing ( 7) 14 Wrath ( 3)

15 Excellent ( 6) 18 Serious ( 5) 19 Sparkling wine ( 4) 20 Dart’s player’s line ( 4)

Solutions in tomorrow’s Irish Mirror