Derrylin Boxing Club's youngsters Anthony Malanaphy and Colman Corrigan both put up very consummate displays against proficient opposition in the recent Mid-Ulster v St Paul's, England boxing in Threemilehouse, Co Monaghan at the weekend.
Both faced stiff opposition, Malanaphy not only conceding age and experience was matched with last year's English National Schoolboy Championship finalist Connor Coghill. Whereas Colman Corrigan a last minute late replacement for club mate Cillian McGoldrick only had a third of the experience of his English opponent Terry Pearson and also conceded 3kgs in a catch-weight contest.
Malanaphy was first in the ring for Derrylin and the opening round was a tentative affair as both boxers started cagily, whilst sizing each other up. Both had moments of success and the opening round ended all square 1-1 on the computer scoring.
In round two, Malanphy was too respectful of his English opponent and boxed too cautiously, this enabled Coghill to press the action and register the notable scoring shots to opened a 3-1 lead at the end of round two.
In the final session a fired-up Malanaphy started positively and his bright start startled his opponent and two good right crosses found the target to level the contest. The final round was fiercely competitive with both boxers having their success.
Malanaphy scored with another good right hand counter against his southpaw opponent to edge into a 4-3 lead but in the dying seconds, more from a lapse in concentration he was caught with a three punch combination. And although he was unhurt the damage had be done on the scoring as he dropped a very close contest 6-4.
Ulster Novice champion Colman Corrigan who is busy preparing for next week's Ulster Nine Counties Open Championships wasn't scheduled to box and took the contest at very late notice - only on the Saturday afternoon - when Cillian McGoldrick was forced to pull out due to sickness.
Corrigan who only started boxing in January of this year and having his seventh contest faced an opponent with over four years experience and a veteran of over twenty contests. Unfazed Corrigan started brightly and pressed the early action against a physically strong combatant.
Colman boxed well in the opener and used good movement to befuddle his opponent but had to endure a few difficult moments when Pearson got in close and started to rough him up. However, despite landing several right leads the scoring had him unfairly level 1-1 at the end of the opener.
The second round was very competitive and both had spells on top. Pearson upped the pace and forced Corrigan to stand and trade. Twice Corrigan was warned for holding and the threat of a point penalty seemed to unsettle him. The highly competitive session again ended with the contest dead level at 3-3.
In the final session Corrigan started purposefully and initiated the early attacks in a bid to open a lead. He was rewarded for his early endeavors when a solid right hand counter land flush on his opponent chin to edge him into a 4-3 lead.
For the remainder of the round Corrigan looked to be controlling the action against as Pearson tired but he just couldn't find the target again cleanly enough to put the contest beyond all doubt. Then in similar fashion to the earlier Malanaphy contest he was caught with a good left hook in he dying seconds.
The punch registered a point and the contest finished level at 4-4 on the computer scoring and then went to a count back, were an average of the judges' individual scores is taken after the highest and lowest scores have been removed. Disappointingly the Derrylin favourite was narrowly behind 8-7 despite a very accomplished display.
Derrylin Boxing Club coach Sean Crowley was full of praise for his charge's efforts "Both lads did brilliantly, they mixed in very good company tonight. St Paul's are a well-respected and established club that regularly produces National champions in England.
Our two lads conceded significant advantages to quality opponents, both gave away experience in addition to age or weight. Therefore, to be winning the contests up to the closing moments is a measure of how well they performed on night and have progressed in such a short time.
They did themselves, their families, the club and the local supporters very proud and they will certainly grow in confidence and benefit from the experience. They demonstrated that Derrylin boxers can not only hold their own with the best of Ulster but also with our neighbours across the channel."
Colman Corrigan who took the contest at late notice will be back in action next weekend at the Ulster Nine Counties Open Championships in Toome, Co Antrim. He will be joined by Lauren Crawford, who will make a small bit of history by becoming Derrylin Boxing Club's first competing female boxer.
Thereafter, the busy schedule for Derrylin continues into next month, as their next boxing tournament will be held at St Ninnidhs Hall, Derrylin on Thursday 17th December, where recently crowned Ulster champions Colm McElhill and Colman Corrigan and the club's other young prospects will all feature in competitive contests.
