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

To celebrate World Mental Health Day, Sullivan Upper School encouraged pupils to embellish  their uniform with  BRIGHTLY COLOURED  removable  accessories .   We decided to focus on bright colours because it was an opportunity for each individual to express themselves and how they were feeling on the day. We also wanted them to use the things that they already had at home to encourage sustainability and as a (small) stand against mass/over consumption!

The Derry Open senior fencing competition was held last weekend the 5th & 6th of October in the sports hall of Thornhill College in Londonderry. Seven SU fencers took part: Amelia Penny, Alexandra Ong and Cassidy Ogle in the women’s foil event and Adam Sugar, Noah Currie, Lennox Brown and Tom Woolsey-Jensen in the men's foil.   On the Saturday in the women’s foil event Cassidy and Amelia were seeded 1 and 2 after completion of the poule stage, then in the knock-out stage ended up facing each other in the final. This was a close fought match, Cassidy taking the win 15-12. Alexandra finished 7th.   The men’s foil was on the Sunday, a tough event with several of Ireland’s top 10 ranked senior foilists competing. Lennox and Noah both made the last 16 in 11th and 15th places, while Adam and Tom finished just outside the L16 in 17th and 19th. Well done all seven fencers.   David White SUFC Coach 07 Oct 2024

Henry Campbell 10E, has been selected by Golf Ireland for the U15 Performance Development North coaching panel for 24-25, after achieving success during a summer of competition.   This award provides players the opportunity to develop their potential to go forward and represent Ireland. After taking part in Golf Ireland events throughout Ireland, Henry has achieved the accolade as No1ranked player in Ireland at U13, and No5 in Ireland at U14.   Success was achieved in both National and provincial events, with Henry achieving a win in the U13 Ulster Boy’s Championship at Newtownstewart, 2nd in the Irish Open (54-hole event) U13 at Banbridge, and a 3rd place in Connacht U13 at Ballina. Heading into the 2025 season Henry will be representing Holywood Golf Club in events at U14 and U16 throughout Ireland, UK, and Europe.

Jorja McBride, 12d,  qualified for 10 events at the Irish Youth and Senior Summer National Championships in the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin, from 23rd to 27th July. Jorja competed in six events and made the A final of the 16-17 yr 400 freestyle, placing 8th with a 2.3second pb. In the 16 yr 800m freestyle she was 7th with a 15.7 second pb. In the 16 yr 1500m freestyle she was 5th with a 37.5 second pb. Jorja also swam a leg of the over 15, 4 x 200m freestyle relay, where the team placed 4th.

The All Ireland National Juvenile Championships were held in Tullamore, County Offaly, In July.  Curtis Hughes and Ben Kirk were two athletes who won Bronze medals in the U17 4x100m relay team and later took Gold medals in the 4x400m relay, competing for North Down Athletics Club, to become National Champions.   The following day, both boys qualified well for the finals of their individual events.  Curtis finished 4th overall in the 400m in a time of 52.42seconds.  Ben finished 8th in the 100m with new PBs in the heats of 11.41seconds and 11.35seconds in the final. (He has been told that both these times may beat the Sullivan record).   The following week, Anna Moran finished 6th in the U17 javelin with a new PB of 30.02metres.

Well done to Scott Henderson, Finn McGrath & Noah Cassidy who trained with the Ulster U16 development squad over the summer. Finn & Scott competed against Leinster, Munster & Connaught regional teams in the U16 Inter Pro Blitz in Portlaoise on 14 August, winning all of their matches. Unfortunately, a recent concussion ruled Noah out of the blitz.

Congratulations to Ben Kirk and Curtis Hughes who were part of the 4x400m U17 relay team that won gold at the Irish Championships over the summer.

The following Sullivan pupils successfully auditioned for the following musical groups  and attended summer residential courses culminating in concert performances.    NYCNI Junior Choir   Sarah Burns and Mitchell Brown participated in the Junior Choir summer course culminating in a concert in Campbell College in July.   NYCNI Training Choir    Elsie Buckley, Nina Crawford, Lucy Boyd, Alice Short, and Georgie Horner attended a week’s residential course which culminated in a concert in Campbell College.  NYCNI Senior Choir     Joel Gallagher and Emma Burns attended a week’s residential course which culminated in a concert in South Belfast. Ulster Youth Orchestra    Jamie Cadden (bass trombone) and Smokey Sizaret (clarinet/ bass clarinet) attended a ten day residential course which culminated in two concerts in the Guildhall, Londonderry and Ulster Hall,Belfast.

Four Sullivan pupils recently represented NCU in the U13 team, competing  at the Interpros in Foyle College against Leinster and NWCU. Congratulations to Martha McKeown, Katie Bond, Emma Kennedy and Kelsie Mulligan.

Lucy Andrews and Isabella Wray who were selected to play for the NCU U15 team at the Interpros against Leinster and NWCU. The team were unbeaten in the T20s

Congratulations to Henry Calvert and Finn McGuigan on their selection for U17 Ulster Schools v EIRA. They won 32-0!