Dublin University Fencing Club (DUFC) played host this weekend to the 30th annual Prof Duffy Memorial Team Epee, a competition set up to honour former Olympian and Trinity almumnus Patrick Duffy.
The competition, held over a weekend, attracts fencers from all over the world. Twenty-one teams competed in the men’s event, from seven different countries, while 10 teams from five countries went head to head in the women’s epee.
For DUFC’s men’s team, it was a successful weekend, as the firsts won bronze while the second team finished hot on their heels in fourth.
DUFC’S third team finished ninth overall.
Trinity’s women’s team just missed out on a bronze medal and were beaten by the overall winners of the competition. Their seconds finished seventh and their thirds finished ninth.
In an email statement to The University Times, DUFC captain Bethany Rush said: “The competition was fierce and all our fencers performed extremely well especially after a 7 week gap in training from the christmas period. Fielding three teams in both events is a testament to the ambition and fire to compete in our club members which is growing year on year and has paid off with a medal earned in such a high standard competition.”
“It was also the first Duffy held since the recent passing of Shirley Duffy, the wife of Patrick Duffy, who was herself an alumna of Trinity, fencing olympian and an avid supporter of the competition as well as a coach in Irish Fencing”, she said. “Many of our entrants and spectators had known her or even been trained by her so it was a wonderful event to remember a very influential individual.”
“After an incredibly strong 30 years we hope this vibrant competition and the hospitality of the club will continue to attract another 30 years of fencers for a weekend that juxtaposes rivalry with the formation of new connections all around the world.”
