County Monaghan Motor Club

 

 

Michael Carbin & Darragh Kelly moved into the overall lead of the Irish Forestry Rally Championship after taking top points at Round 3, the Tour of the Sperrins Rally. The Maghera-based event consisted of stages at Banagher, Glenshane, Wolf’s Hill and Davagh. Carbin & Kelly took 3^rd overall behind non-registered crews Martin McCormick/Conor McCormick and Derek McGeehan who had Monaghan’s Arthur Kierans navigating.

 

Brendan Cumiskey/Ronan O’Kane brought their R5 Fiesta home to 7^th overall and 1^st in class. Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips had a busy weekend competing on both the Sperrins and Carlow rallies. They took their Escort to 10^th overall and 3^rd in class. There was disappointment for the Fermanagh/Monaghan pairing of Damien McGauren/Michaela McGinn and the Monaghan/Cork pairing of Derek Mackarel/Daire Hayes who both failed to finish. Robert Moffett & Jason McKenna also failed to finish after putting their Fiesta WRC off the road.

 

Maguire/Sherry Keep National Campaign on Track

 

Niall Maguire & Enda Sherry consolidated 2^nd place in the Irish National Rally Championship at last weekend’s Carlow Stages Rally. The pair completed the nine stage event in 5^th place but 2^nd amongst the registered competitors. Overall honours went to Manus Kelly & Donall Barrett with National Championship leader, Roy White & James O’Brien taking 2^nd place in their Fiesta WRC. Tommy Doyle/Liam Moynihan completed the top three in a one-off drive in a Subaru WRC.

 

Gary McPhillips/Paul Sheridan brought their Mk2 Escort home 13^th and 3^rd in class 14. Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips swapped the forests of Tyrone for the tarmac of Carlow and came home 14^th overall and 1^st in class 13 to cap off a good weekend. David Moffett & Martin Connolly brought their Starlet home 20^th overall and 3^rd in class 13. Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden were one again victorious in class 11R in their Corolla coming home 25^th overall. Martin McPhillips with Gary McNern navigating took 36^th overall and 3^rd in class 11R.

 

Peadar Hurson/Damien Connolly had been challenging for the lead when they were forced to retire with an engine problem on stage 8. Shane Maguire/Mac Kierans were disappointed to retire after the first loop. Vivian Hamill/Andrew Grennan were in the thick of the fight for the Mk2 challenge trophy until their retirement on stage five. James O’Reilly was sitting with Scotland’s David Bogie. Their event came to an end on stage seven.

 

Tynan Takes Honours at Mayo Autocross

 

Michael Tynan took overall victory on last weekend’s Mayo Autocross. His son Martin also put in a good showing to take 4^th overall, both were driving Mitsubishi Lancers.

 

60^th Anniversary Gala Celebration

 

All roads lead to the Hillgrove Hotel on Saturday next 14th May when Monaghan Motor Club will host a Gala Ball to celebrate its 60th anniversary. The past 60 years will be re-lived by means of displays, videos, history of our members and various memorabilia. Attendees will include members spanning the six decades of Monaghan motorsport. Some last minute tickets are still available from Ronnie Hawe: 086-8277779 or email monaghanmotorclub@gmail.com. This is a night not to be missed!