N Ireland's most prestigious annual senior fencing event is the N Ireland Open and the 2022 Open took place last Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th of January in the Ulster University Magee Campus Sports Hall in Londonderry.
Six Sullivan fencers entered the women’s foil event: Izzy Evans, Rachel McKillen, Angharad King, Victoria Morris, Alex Atkinson and Alexandra Ong, while three entered the men’s foil: Alexander Penny, Keir Murray and Finn Neely. Finn and Alexandra, while still in the junior ranks as U16s, were taking their first steps into senior competition.
In the men’s foil event Alexander Penny had an excellent start with 7 wins from 9 fights in the poules, placing him 9th in the seedings for the knock-out stage. Keir and Finn both had 3 wins, seeding them 17th and 18th. Alexander and Keir won their way into the last 16, but both were defeated there, finishing 9th and 16th respectively. Finn lost in his L16 fight, finishing with 18th place. All three fenced well against tough opposition.
The women’s foil event saw Izzy have a strong start in the poules with 10 wins from 14 and Victoria close behind with 9 wins, placing them 6th and 7th in the seedings for the direct elimination stage. Alex, Angharad, Rachel and Alexandra finished the poule stage ranked 9th, 11th, 13th and 16th respectively. Izzy, Victoria and Alex made it out of the L16 into the quarter-finals, though all 3 were knocked out at this stage, ending up 6th, 7th and 8thoverall. Angharad, Rachel and Alexandra didn't make it out of the L16 and finished the competition 11th, 13th and 16th.
This was an excellent turn-out of SU fencers in a tough senior competition, competing with the best fencers in Ireland.
The next event for SUFC fencers will be for U12s, U14s and U16s at Round 3 of the NI Junior Foil Series on 6th February in the Queen's Leisure Complex in Holywood.
David White
SUFC Coach
03 Feb 2022
