Irish National Fencing Championships

The Irish National Fencing Championships, held last Saturday and Sunday, decide the six senior fencing champions for all of Ireland each year, i.e. in men’s and women’s foil, epee and sabre. This year they were held in the Sports Centre of Dublin’s Technological University in Blanchardstown. SUFC had 7 entrants: Amelia Penny, Cassidy Ogle, Erin Keogh and Lydia Hamilton in the women’s foil and Myles Wilkinson, Flynn Woolsey-Jensen and William Penny in the men’s foil. Also competing was ex-Sullivan fencer Alexander Penny (currently with Oxford University Fencing Club).

On the Saturday Amelia and Cassidy made the quarter-finals of the WF. Cassidy was knocked out at this stage, taking 6^th place, while Amelia progressed through to the semis. Here, despite putting up a strong fight, she was beaten 11-15 by the No.1 seed and eventual winner. This gave her joint third place and a bronze medal. Erin and Lydia were both knocked out at the L16 stage, finishing 12^th and 13^th. Amelia’s 3^rd place moves her up from No.7 to No.5 in the Senior Irish WF rankings.

In the men’s foil Myles and Alexander both made the last 16, but progressed no further, finishing in 12^th and 13^th. Flynn and William (still U14 juniors) both lost in the L32, but only after battling hard against much older and more experienced fencers.

Well done to all 7 SU fencers (and 1 ex-SU fencer). The next event for SU fencers will be for our juniors at the Irish Youth Championships next weekend on 25^th April.

David White

SUFC Coach

20 Apr 2026