FENCING: IRISH OPEN RESULTS

The Championships incorporated the prestigious Mens Epee FIE Satellite competition with 44 competitors in the hunt for the important world ranking points on offer. Joao Coreiro from Portugal won an exciting competition, beating off challenges from top quality opposition for Hungary and Italy. There were excellent local performances in the event with Derry -based David Burnside coming 5th. Andrew Fenwick from Derry was the next placed Irish competitor, in 13th place.

Ireland's outstanding international fencer Siobhan Byrne won the Women's Sabre event at DCU, representing US College Ohio State. Siobhan made a major breakthrough in 2008 by qualifying for the Beijing Olympics.

It was a great weekend for the Pembroke Club in Dublin with 2 overall victories. The Womens Foil was won by Linda Schultze who defeated Sonja Waloszek from Germany in the final. The double for Pembroke was completed by Olga Velma who defeated Raisa Greer from Derry in the final of the Women's Epee. .

There was a home victory in the Men's Foil for Louis Arron of Dublin University Fencing Club who defeated Evgeniy Kazantsev from Pembroke Club in the final.

The Mens Sabre which was dominated by the visiting team from USMT in Paris with Raphael Gilmas the winner, with Stephen Concannon from UCD placed joint third.

The competition was greatly helped by the presence of specially invited FIE International Referees and weapon control personnel all of which contributed to the efficient running of the competition.

Further Information:
Nuala McGarrity
Hon. Sec. Irish Fencing Federation
086-8350921

IRISH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2008 - RESULTS - Saturday/Sunday 29/30 November, 2008

Mens Epee Dublin Satellite

1. Joao Coreiro, POR
2. David Csobo, HUN
3. Vitas Babbi, ITA
4. Cristiano Magnani, ITA

Mens Foil

1. Louis Arron, DUFC
2. Evgeniy Kazantsev, Pembroke
3. Benjamini Kirchoff, FC Lutjensee
4. Fergal Martin, NUI Maynooth

Mens Sabre

1. Raphael Gilmas, USMT, Paris
2. Frederic Pailhasse, USMT, Paris
3. Stephen Concannon, UCD
4. Romain Tomann, USMT, Paris

Womens Foil

1. Linda Schultze, Pembroke
2. Sonja Waloszek, TSV Neu-Ulm
3. Katie Gillespie, Bangor Blades
4. Maria Treacy, DUFC

Womens Sabre

1. Siobhan Byrne, Ohio State
2. Friedericke Janshen, ETV Hamburg
3. Maoliosa Donnelly, Foyle
4. Gwenaelle Jobin, UCC

Womens Epee

1. Olga Velma, Pembroke
2. Raisa Greer, Foyle
3. Rachael Flynn, Salle Dublin
4. Siobhan Silke, DCU