Sullivan Fencing: Round 5 of the 2025/2026 N Ireland Junior Foil Series

Sullivan Upper Fencing Club hosted the 5^th round of the 2025/26 NI Junior Foil Series on Sunday 1^st of February in the school sports hall. This turned out to be the biggest event of the 25/26 series so far, with the hall packed with over 50 fencers from all over Ireland along with parents, coaches and event organisers. Twenty two SU fencers took part, 5 of whom were year 8 beginners in their first competition. SUFC fencers won a total 8 medals across U12, U14 and U16 age groups, 3 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze.

U12

In the U12F Ella Murphy had her 4^th win of the series, while year 8 beginners Nico Suto-Murphy and Emma Markey finished 3^rd and 4^th. Vanessa Chiu was 5^th, Lydia Snoddy 7^th and beginner Emme McCleary  8^th. Year 8 beginner James Jebb was the highest placed SU fencer in the U12M, finishing 5^th, followed by Sam Ellames in 7^th.

U14s

Flynn Woolsey-Jensen, William Penny, Mark Ross, Shion Suto-Murphy, Ronan O’Hagan and Rory Wilson were the SU entrants to the U14M. Ronan and Rory were knocked out in the last 16, finishing 10^th and 11^th, while William, Flynn, Shion and Mark went through to the L8. From this 4 only William progressed further, going on to win convincingly in the final 15-5. Flynn, Shion and Mark finished 6^th, 7^th and 8^th. In the U14F Grace Tsang took her 5^th consecutive win, giving her a now unassailable points lead for the series U14F title. Year 8 beginner Maya Monroe finished 3^rd to take bronze while Olivia Morse was 4^th.

U16s

In the girls’ U16s Erin Keough and Lydia Hamilton took silver and bronze, with Amy Walker in 4th. This puts Erin, Lydia and Amy in 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd in the U16F series points race with one round to go. Ethan Dilworth and Patrick John were SU’s only representatives in the U16M. Both progressed from the L16, but unfortunately met each other in the L8, Ethan winning to go on to take 2^nd place, with Patrick 4^th.

Well done all 22 SU competitors! This was the largest NIJFS event in recent years, so a big thank you goes out to all those who gave up their time to organise, referee and assist at the event, to the SU staff for preparing the Sports Hall and to fencer parents for their support. Round 6, the final round of the 2025/2026 NIJFS season, will be held on Sun 8^th March in the SU Sports Hall.

David White

SUFC Coach

03 Feb 2026