Sullivan Fencing: Round 1 of the 2025/2026N Ireland Junior Foil Series

The 2025/26 NI Junior Foil Series began last Saturday 11^th October in Shankill Leisure Centre in Belfast. Sullivan Upper Fencing Club had 18 fencers competing across U12, U14 and U16 age groups with a total of 8 medals won: 4 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze.

U12s

Sullivan had 2 year 8 girls in this category, Ella Murphy and Lydia Snoddy. The rest of our 19 new intake year 8s did not take part as they’re beginners who’ve still to learn the basics of fencing before they can compete. Ella and Lydia however, have had previous fencing experience at another club, which they put to good use by winning U12F gold and silver respectively.

U14s

There were also only 2 SU girls in the U14 age group, Grace Tsang and Olivia Morse. Grace had her first ever NIJFS win, taking gold in the U14F, Olivia taking silver. Seven SU boys took part in the U14M, William Penny, Eric Hutchinson, Shion Suto-Murphy, Flynn Woolsey-Jensen, Mark Ross, Ronan O’Hagan and Zach Fyffe. William and Eric made it to the quarter-finals (5^th and 8^th) but went no further, while Shion, Flynn, Mark, Ronan and Zach all went out in the L16.

U16s

Sam Snoddy, Ethan Dilworth, Adam Sugar, John Patrick, Erin Keough, Lydia Hamilton and Amy Walker were Sullivan’s U16 entrants. Sam gave a dominant performance to take U16M gold, while Ethan finished 5^th after suffering a narrow 14-15 defeat to just miss a semi-final place. Adam and Patrick both made the quarters in 6^th and 7^th. Lydia made it a Sullivan U16 clean sweep with gold in the U16F to take her first ever NIJFS win, while Erin took silver and Amy bronze.

This was an excellent competition turn-out of Sullivan fencers, with a superb set of results. Well done to all 18. Round 2 of the NIJFS will be on Sat 8^th November 2025 in the Shankill Leisure Centre.

David White

SUFC Coach

14^th Oct 2025