Saturday night last saw Monaghan crews take top three positions on the Cork 1000 Shakes Navigation Trial. Fresh from two wins on the previous two rounds, veterans Andy Mackarel and Liam Higgins made the trip South after a three-year sabbatical. Their gamble paid off however with a start to finish win and consolidated their strong position in this year’s National championship. Richard Cassidy and Paul Phelan had a great run and kept Mackarel/Higgins on their toes throughout the 110mile event with 70 time points to finish in 2nd overall, only two marks off the overall win. Ashley McAdoo and Francis Keenan made their trip to Cork pay off also with an excellent 3rd overall and the semi expert class win to boot.
Frost and fog were the mitigating factors in making this gruelling event even more challenging through the Cork mountains and valleys. Martin Tynan and Fintan Clerkin are virtually unstoppable for a novice class win in this years championship having finished in 8th on the night but more importantly gaining maximum points with another class win. Had it not been for a tricky double visit this novice pairing could have been up to 4th overall at least.
It proved to be a difficult night for the travelling midlands crews with Colin Duffy and Sam Johnston forced into early retirement with mechanical woes following a visit to the scenery after only a few time points. This non-finish disrupts the Midlands men’s assault on this year’s championship. Gerry Kelly and Seamus McTigue finished in 11th overall and in doing so took a commanding win in the beginner’s section. Packie Duffy and Nigel McCloughery were running number 1 seeds but the Cork terrain proved difficult as they finished in 12th overall.
All roads lead to the hometown of the now famous “Jimmy’s winning matches” as Glenswilly Football Club in the heart of Donegal plays host to the 3rd round of the Squealing Pig Border Navigation Championship this Saturday night. Entries are still available. Full report next week
CORK MC Navigation Trial Top 12
1/ Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins (Subaru Impreza) 22 marks
2/ Richard Cassidy/Paul Phelan (Vauxhall Vectra) 24m
3/ Ashley McAdoo/Francis Keenan (Subaru Impreza) 37m
4/ Ger O’Connell/Denis O’Donovan (Subaru Impreza) 39m
5/ David Beamish/Daire Hayes (Subaru Impreza) 45m
6/ Dermot Whelton/Barry O’Sullivan (VW Golf) 49m
7/ Joe Shinnors Jnr/Greg Shinnors (Subaru Impreza) 49m
8/ Martin Tynan/Fintan Clerkin (Subaru Impreza) 59m
9/ Martin Dolan/Eoghan McCarthy (Subaru Impreza) 81m
10/ Michael Murphy/Pat Cashman (Subaru Impreza) 191m
11/ Gerry Kelly/Seamus McTigue (Subaru Impreza) 208m
12/ Pakie Duffy/Nigel McCloughry (Subaru Impreza) 238m
AGM
Monaghan Motor Clubs annual general meeting will be held this Friday night 25th January at 8.30 sharp in the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan.. During the meeting the election of officers for 2013 will take place. All 2012 members are eligible to vote for the committee. It is important that all club members attend as this is your chance to contribute to the running of our club going forward.
Upcoming Events
25th Jan Monaghan Motor Club AGM, 26th Jan Donegal MC Navigation, 27th Jan Cavan Quarry, 2nd Feb Cork MC Navigation, 9th Feb Midlands MC Navigation, 17th Feb Monaghan MC Autotest, 24th Feb Birr MC Stages, 2nd Mar Cavan MC Navigation, 9th Mar Monaghan MC Navigation & 10th Mar Mayo MC Stages
County Monaghan Motor Club 