The East of Ireland Open, held on the weekend 18th and 19th March in University College Dublin, is the 4th of Ireland’s 6 Senior National Circuit fencing events that are held each year. Four SU fencers took part: Alexandra Ong, Alexander Penny, Adam Caldwell and Noah Currie.
After the men’s foil poule stage Adam and Noah unfortunately met in the last 32 of the knock-out stage. Adam took the win 15-11 to go through to the L16, though he lost there to finish 16th, with Noah taking 17th. Meanwhile Alexander made the quarter-finals, finishing 7th for a personal best in a senior open competition. In the women’s foil Alexandra finished 13th after a strong performance in a tough field. For both Alexandra and Noah, as the only under 16s competing in their events, this was valuable experience as they begin their transfer from junior to senior competition.
The next event for SUFC senior fencers will be the Irish National Championships in Dublin on the 22nd and 23rd April. For the juniors it will be NI Junior Foil Series Round 4 in the Sullivan Upper Sports Hall on the 26th March.
David White
SUFC Coach
23 Mar 2023
