Fencing Ireland Officials  

Management Committee

Chairperson – Ursula Kappus  chairperson@fencingireland.net

Ursula started her fencing journey back in 2001 as sabre fencer in UCC, and has been involved with the sport ever since, both in a competitive and an administrative capacity. She has been the national Children’s Officer since 2017 and was elected to the board in 2019. She is delighted to take over as Chairperson and excited to work with Board Members and Fencers alike to increase the profile of fencing in the country and make our sport more accessible and enjoyable for all.

Company Secretary – Patrick Dight secretary@fencingireland.net

Patrick Dight started fencing in 1985 and never stopped. He has represented Ireland in Foil and Sabre at Senior and Veteran competitions and has been known to pick up an Epee on occasion too. He has fenced in Dublin and Limerick over the years and now lives in Nenagh where he coaches at Munster Blades Fencing Club (all welcome 7pm Fridays at St Mary's Secondary School).  Patrick teaches Transition Year fencing courses in Secondary Schools so if you are a TY coordinator please get in touch!

General Manager - Dearbhla Foley – dfoley@fencingireland.net

Dearbhla Joined Fencing Ireland in July 2019. She looks after the day to day running of Fencing Ireland and the development and growth of fencing nationwide. She also looks after the well being of all clubs and members.

Head of Development - Colm Flynn cnouvianflynn@fencingireland.net

Colm is the Head of Development for Fencing Ireland and Development Officer for fencing in Trinity College Dublin where he is also Head Coach. Colm represented Ireland internationally as an épéeist. He captained our Men’s Épée team at the senior 5 Nations competition on five occasions. He coaches all three weapons. His role with Fencing Ireland includes delivering our schools outreach programme and developing our coaching structures.

 

Fencing Ireland Board

The Board currently consists of ten Board Directors, ten (including Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer) being elected at annual AGM with co-option of further members by the Board where necessary Staff members attend some meetings, or parts of meetings, to brief/advise the Board

Although some Board members may be content to give out contact details, normally they should be contacted through Head Office - dfoley@fencingireland.net

Board of Directors

• Ursula Kappus (Chairperson)
• Patrick Dight (Secretary)
• Yvonne Murphy (Treasurer)
• Aidan Clarke
• Brian Crowley
• Virginie Gautier
• Fiadhnait McDonough
• Stefania Negro
• Megan O’Callaghan
• Meng Wang

Additional Personnel

• Safeguarding Officer: Stefania Negro - safeguarding@fencingireland.net
• Anti-Doping Officer: Cahir Davitt - antidoping@fencingireland.net
• Medical Adviser: Pauline Fleming

 

Subcommittees

Women in Fencing Committee

• Annemarie Sullivan (Chair)
• Megan O'Callaghan(Board Liaison)
• Cristina Cernat
• Kirsten Dowd
• Saoirse McGlinchey

Selection Committee
Contact email address: selectors@irishfencing.net

• Nuala McGarrity (Convenor)
• Joana Ramalho (Chair)
• Owen McNamee
• Aidan Clarke (Board Liaison)
• Benedict Chambers
• Rory Hayes

Youth Committee

• Virginie Gautier
• Ursula Kappus
• Patrick Dight
• Olga Velma
• Stefania Negro

Competitions Committee

• Duncan Salter
• Desmond Gilhooly
• John Jones
• Nuala McGarrity
• Fiadhnait McDonough (Board Liaison)

Referees Committee
Contact email address: refereeing@fencingireland.net

• James Barden
• Megan O'Callaghan (Board Liaison)
• Nuala McGarrity
• Colm Nouvian-Flynn
• Crystal Percival
• James Wyatt

Armoury Committee

• Brian Crowley (Board Liaison)
• Des Gilhooly
• Filip Kuczera

Veterans Committee
Contact email address:veterans@fencingireland.net

• Annemarie Sullivan (Chair)
• Dawid Kulka (Secretary)
• Fiona Haldane
• Nuala McGarrity
• Annalise Mion
• Claire Murray
• Michael Ryan
• Patrick Dight (Board Liaison)

Diversity and Inclusion Committee

• James Barden (Chair)
• Joana Ramalho
• Cameron Keighron
• Ursula Kappus (Board Liaison)

Audit Committee

• Philip Lee
• Julian Smith

Delegates to FIE and EFC

• Desmond Gilhooly
• Nuala McGarrity