IRISH TITLE FOR TENNYSON

The 19-year-old also picked up the vacant Irish super-featherweight crown and improved his record to 6-0 (5 KOs).

Tennyson was eager to improve on the last meeting between the pair -a routine six-round points win in Scotland last December- and wasted little time loading up on Coveney and repeatedly backing him into corners.

The well-supported youngster has been enjoying some quality sparring of late, with Carl Frampton and Stephen Ormond using his services to sharpen up for title bouts.

31-year-old southpaw Coveney made it through the opening round, but suffered a nick to the right eye that Tennyson immediately targeted.

The beginning of the end arrived midway through the second when Coveney threw a right hand lead and wheeled away in pain; the result of an old muscle tear. The wily veteran shook himself down and came out for more but the home fighter, who uses the “Baby Faced Assassin” moniker, smelled blood and turned up the heat.

Coveney was clearly lacking mobility and unable to avoid the heavy artillery. Coveney’s corner sensed how futile his challenge had become and flung in the towel, prompting referee David Irving to intervene at 1-41 of the round and confirm Tennyson’s first taste of title glory.

“It’s a real honour to be the youngest ever Irish super-featherweight champion,” said Tennyson, who will drop back down to featherweight for a May bout in Scotland. “I’m not concerned with calling out names I’ll just fight whoever my manager Mark Dunlop puts in front of me next.”