Australia-based Castleblayney man, Pauric Duffy, was the top Monaghan finisher on last weekend’s Mayo Stages Rally. Duffy had his usual navigator, Kevin Glynn, alongside. The pair got off to a fantastic start where they led early on but they dropped significant times on stages 3 & 4 which demoted them to 4th place by the finish.
The five stage event was the opening round of the 2017 Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship. For the first time, the event was entirely based on the island of Achill. Duffy/Glynn set the early pace in their Fiesta R5 with fastest time on Stage 1 and they led by 6 seconds after stage two. Donegal’s Joseph McGonigle then mounted a charge to take the lead on stage 3 which he would hold until the finish. Duffy/Glynn had to settle for 4th after their time loss on the second loop.
Mickey Conlon with new navigator, Martin Byrne, swapped the loose surfaces of the forests for Tarmac. The Castleblayney man finished 6th overall and 1st in class 13. Andrew Grennan guided Tyrone’s Vivian Hamill to 7th overall and 2nd in class 14 as they continue to build confidence following their big off in Donegal last year. Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden got their Border title defence off to the perfect start with a brilliant run to 8th overall and 1st in class 11R.
Maurice Moffett/Jason McKenna made a welcome return to the stages and finished 10th overall and 3rd in class 14. Barry Treanor/Colm Connolly took 14th overall and 3rd in class 11R. Jack McKenna guided Jason Black to 18th overall and victory in the Junior class in their Starlet. Mickey & Ryan Brennan finished 22nd overall and 1st in class 10 in their Nova. Johnny Treanor/Adrian Foley showed a great turn of speed early on and had been as high as 8th overall in their 1600cc Civic but a long delay on stage four dropped them to 38th overall and 3rd in the Junior class at the finish.
Martin Doherty/Paul Sheridan retired from 6th overall on stage three in their Escort. Adrian Cannon/Kaine Treanor and Jack Maguire/Andy Hayes also failed to finish. The Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship continues with our own Monaghan Stages Rally on April 23rd.
Bishopscourt Stages Rally
The Northern Ireland Rally Championship continued with round 2, the Bishopscourt Stages Rally on Saturday last 11th March. Peader Hurson debuted his new Fiesta WRC in the event with Scotstown’s Damien Connolly as usual in the navigator’s seat. They finished in a steady 6th place. Ballinode’s Michael Carbin & Conor Mohan had a troubled run in their Lancer but made it home in 43rd overall. The rally was won by current NI champion Derek McGarrity,co-driven by Nigel Magee.
Monaghan Navigation Trial
St. Mary’s Hall, Rockcorry is the venue for this weekend’s Monaghan Navigation Trial. COC Sean McCaffrey hopes to have an 80 mile route through the Mid-Monaghan area. The event is a counting round of the National, Border & Club Navigation Championships as well as the Trader’s Championship. First car away is at 9pm. Marshals are required for this event and those available to help should report to St. Mary’s Hall for 8pm.
County Monaghan Motor Club 