The great start to the 22/23 season continued for Anthony Malanaphy at the weekend, after he secured his fourth win in seven days.

Having won the Ulster Senior title last week following three impressive performances, Malanaphy was straight back into action competing in the National Senior Championships at the National Stadium in Dublin last Sunday afternoon.

Boxing in the last 16 round of the Light-welterweight (63.5kg) category he faced Cork’s former Irish Junior Representative and European Gold medalist Michael Faulkner (Fr Forgan’s Boxing Club).

A chess match between two counter-punching stylists was on the cards but Malanaphy started purposely on the front foot.

Malanaphy pressed in the opener and Faulkner sought to counter but the Erne favourite’s work was that bit sharper and he got the better of the exchanges to take the session.

Round two saw both combatants have some success but the work started to get untidy and Faulkner received a public warning for illegal use of the shoulder.

Malanaphy got off to a slow start in the final session but picked up the pace in the final half of the round and landed enough to edge matters on a 4-0 decision.

Malanaphy now progresses to the quarter-final this Friday where he’ll meet Michael O’Domhniall (Connemara Boxing Club).

“It has been a tough week for Anthony, a bad cold affected his ability to train but full kudos to him for making the weight and grinding out the win.

“Faulkner was a top boxer at Junior and Youth level and we knew it was going to be a very tricky match but we got the win and the best of Malanaphy is still to come,” commented Sean Crowley, Erne Boxing Club Head Coach.

The Erne Boxing Club advise in addition to Anthony Malanaphy back in action that they also have a team of four heading to compete at St. Catharine’s in Ontario, Canada this week.

Rhys Owens heads the team with Oisin Gilheaney, Ciaran Cassidy and Caoilfhionn Crowley also pencilled in to box.