County Monaghan Motor Club

Clontibret’s Josh Moffett and co-driver John Rowan were the best placed Monaghan crew on the Tipperary Stonethrower’s rally, based in Clonmel on Sundat last 4^th August. They picked up the pace after the opening stages and slotted into 3^rd overall after SS3. Their Fiesta R5 ran faultlessly throughout the day on what was a test run ahead of the Ulster International rally and they took the 3^rd podium place at the finish.   

Monaghan’s Damien Connolly was co-driving as usual for Peadar Hurson in the WRC Impreza and they had to settle for 5^th overall behind local driver Roy White who clinched the Triton Showers National Rally Championship title with this result. Just behind Hurson was Newbliss driver Stephen Wright, co-driven by Aghabog’s Arthur Kierans in another Fiesta R5 on a test run for the Ulster. Regular championship contenders Niall Maguire /Enda Sherry completed the Monaghan contingent in the top ten with a 7^th place finish.

Just outside the top ten was Eugene Meegan, who increased his pace after a slow first loop to finish 11^th overall and 2^nd in class 14 in his BMW M1. Brendan Cumiskey was 14^th overall and 3^rd in class 5 in his Fiesta. Monaghan’s Paul Kelly guided Limerick driver Paul Purtill to 15^th overall and 1^st in class 13 ahead of Mickey Conlon and Ciaran McPhillips who were 2^nd in this class.

Tyholland driver Seamus Connolly and co-driver Gary McCrudden have been the dominant force in class 11R again this year and they had another good run here in their Corolla, although they had to settle for 2^nd in class. Ballinode’s Shane Maguire and co-driver Mac Kierans were poised for a class win until the Evo sustained a puncture on SS8, leaving them with 2^nd place championship points and 44^th overall. Non-finishers included Sam Moffett (oil pressure) and Barry Ryan/Emmett Sherry (mechanical).

Overall Results

1 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Fiesta WRC) 63m 41s,
2 Alastair Fisher/Gordon Noble (Fiesta R5) 64m 15s,
3 Josh Moffett/John Rowan (Fiesta R5) 64m 32s,
4 Roy White/James O’Brien (Fiesta WRC) 64m 47s,
5 Peadar Hurson/Damien Connolly (Impreza WRC) 65m 17s,
6 Stephen Wright/Arthur Kierans (Fiesta R5) 65m 41s,
7 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Impreza WRC) 65m 50s,
8 Jonny Greer/Jonny Hart (Citroen DS3 R5) 66m 36s,
9 Enda O’Brien/John Butler (Escort) 67m 20s,
10 Kevin Kelleher/Ray Fitzpatrick (Impreza WRC) 67m 23s.

Endurance Trial on Sunday Next

The next event in the Monaghan Motor Club calendar is the Endurance Trial, which will be held on Sunday next 14^th August. COC Shane Maguire has organised another challenging set of selectives in a compact route. The format will be similar to last year with a combination of smooth tarmac, concrete and gravel surfaces. There will also be some new selectives never used previously, which are intended to enhance the event. Entries are still being accepted by Event Secretary Gary Hall. Regulations and entry form can be downloaded from the club website.