The 2023/24 NI Junior Foil Series kicked off last Saturday 4th November in Shankill Leisure Centre in Belfast. Sullivan Upper Fencing Club had 14 fencers competing in the U14 and U16 age groups. Nine medals were won in total by SU fencers, 2 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze.
U14s
Erin Keough, the lone SU competitor in the girls’ U14s, made the semi-finals, winning a bronze medal.
In the boys’ U14s Sam Snoddy, Adam Sugar, Patrick John, Thomas Morrow and Ethan Dilworth all made the last 8. Sam was only one of the 5 who made it through to the semis, but lost there 13-15 in a close fight, finishing with a bronze. Adam, Tom, Ethan and Patrick were placed 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th.
U16s
Three SU fencers, Amelia Penny, Cassidy Ogle and Lois Donald had entered for the U16 girls’, and all 3 made the semi-finals. Lois was knocked out by Amelia to take a bronze, while Cassidy won the other semi. This led to an all Sullivan final, with Amelia winning 15-12 for the gold medal, Cassidy taking silver.
The boys’ U16s had 5 SU competitors: Noah Currie, Myles Wilkinson, Lennox Brown, Tom Woolsey-Jensen and Theo Beggs. All 5 made the last 8 and 4 of the 5 made the semis, making it an all Sullivan fight for the medal positions. Myles beat Lennox in one semi and Noah defeated Theo in the other. The Myles vs Noah final was a nail biting affair with Noah taking a narrow win 15-14 for the gold medal. Myles took silver, Lennox and Theo joint 3rd and Tom 5th.
This was an excellent competition turn-out of Sullivan fencers, with a great set of results. Well done to all 14. Round 2 of the NIJFS will be on Sat 2nd December 2023 in the Shankill Leisure Centre.
David White
SUFC Coach
5th Nov 2023
