The 2024/25 NI Junior Foil Series began last Saturday 12th October in Shankill Leisure Centre in Belfast. Sullivan Upper Fencing Club had 17 fencers competing in the U14 and U16 age groups. A record eleven medals were won in total by SU fencers, 2 gold, 2 silver and 7 bronze.
U14s
Lydia Hamilton, Grace Tsang and Amy Walker were SU’s entrants in the girls’ U14s. Lydia and Grace met in the semi-finals, with Lydia taking a narrow win to go into the final, while Amy lost in the other semi to join Grace in joint 3rd. Lydia put up a good fight in the final, but finished with the silver medal.
In the boys’ U14s Daniel McBride, Flynn Woolsey-Jensen, William Penny, Thomas Morrow, Eric Hutchinson and Zach Fyffe all made the quarter-finals. From these, William and Thomas progressed to the semi-finals, though both lost, finishing joint 3rd. Flynn, Eric, Zach, Daniel and Cormac were placed in positions 5 to 9.
U16s
There were 2 SU fencers in the girls’ U16s: Erin Keough and Cassidy Ogle, Cassidy fresh from her win at the Derry Open senior event the previous weekend. The 2 SU fencers met in the semis with Cassidy taking the win 15-9 to go into the final, Erin taking bronze. In the final it was a close-run thing for Cassidy, but then with the score at 13-13, she took the last 2 points to win 15-13.
The boys’ U16s had 7 SU competitors: Tom Woolsey-Jensen, Theo Beggs, Adam Sugar, Sam Snoddy, Ethan Dilworth, Patrick John and Oliver Stevenson. Five of the 7 made it to the quarter-finals, with Tom, Theo and Sam then progressing to the last 4. Sam lost his semi-final, while Tom was knocked out by Theo. In the final Theo put in a strong performance, leading the fight all the way through to win 15:13. Tom and Sam were joint 3rd, Adam, Ethan, Oliver and Patrick in positions 7 to 10.
This was an excellent competition turn-out of Sullivan fencers, with a great set of results. Well done to all 17. Round 2 of the NIJFS will be on Sat 9th November 2024 in the Shankill Leisure Centre.
David White
SUFC Coach
13th Oct 2024
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