The N Ireland Open is always the first NI senior fencing event of the calendar year, and this year 7 Sullivan fencers made the journey last Saturday 28th January to the Templemore Sports Complex in Londonderry to take part. The 7 consisted of 2 of our senior fencers and 5 juniors who still compete at U16 level but have begun their transition to adult competition. The seniors: Alexander Penny and Adam Caldwell; the juniors: Alexandra Ong, Amelia Penny, Cassidy Ogle, Noah Currie and Myles Wilkinson.
In the men’s foil event Alexander Penny made the last 16, but was knocked out there by the eventual silver medallist, finishing in 9th place. Noah was placed 19th, Adam 21st and Myles 23rd.
The women’s foil event saw all 3 SU girls in the last 16, though unfortunately Amelia and Alexandra ended up fencing each other for a place in the last 8. Amelia won to go through to the quarter-finals, but lost there to finish 7th, with Alexandra taking 10th place. Cassidy won her last 16 fight to go into the quarters, but was then beaten by the eventual gold medallist and finished 8th.
This was a good turn-out of SU fencers in a tough senior competition and was valuable experience for the SU juniors competing.
The next event for SUFC fencers will be for U12s, U14s and U16s at Round 2 of the NI Junior Foil Series on 5th February at RBAI in Belfast.
David White
SUFC Coach
31 Jan 2023
