Clontibret’s Sam Moffett was officially crowned National Rally Champion at the Triton Awards night in Athlone on Saturday last, 18th November. This is just one of four titles won by San this year. His navigator Karl Atkinson finished 2nd overall navigator.
Other Monaghan National award winners were Niall Maguire (3rd overall driver), Shane Maguire and Darragh Kelly (Group N champions), Mickey Conlon and Ciaran McPhillips (2WD and Mk2 champions), Shane Maguire (Spirit of the Championship), Jonny Treanor (class 16 winning driver), Enda Sherry (class 7 winning navigator), Emmet Sherry (class 13 winning navigator), Thomas Treanor (class 14 winning navigator), Jack McKenna (class 16 2nd navigator), Jason Black (class 16 3rd driver).
Jonny Treanor Shortlisted for Young Rally Driver of the Year
The finalists for Motorsport Ireland’s Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year award have been announced – with Jonny Treanor, from Scotstown, Co Monaghan; Callum Devine, from Claudy, Co Derry; and Kevin Eves, from Pettigo, Co Donegal, in the running to take home Irish rallying’s most prestigious awards.
The three drivers were chosen from a shortlist of eight candidates from throughout Ireland who were nominated for the award on the merits of their performances during the year. All the finalists faced a rigorous selection process which included interviews from a panel of judges comprising members of the media, an official from Sport Ireland, and representatives from the club and rallying world.
Past winners of the Billy Coleman Award have gone on to compete at the highest level both at home and internationally, with drivers winning international championships as well as flying the flag at European and World Rally Championship level. Included on this roll of honour are the first ever driver from the Republic of Ireland to secure a WRC works seat, Craig Breen, record breaking four-time British Rally champion Keith Cronin, and the current award holder Monaghan’s Josh Moffett, who is competing in the ERC Junior Championship.
The internationally-recognised Billy Coleman Award is one of the most prestigious accolades that any young driver on the island of Ireland can aspire to. It comes with a prize valued at €50,000 in support to help the winner develop their career.
The overall winner of the 2017 award will be announced at the Beta Irish Motorsport Awards ceremony which will take place on Tuesday, December 5th in The Round Room at The Mansion House, Dublin. The Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year award is presented annually and is supported by Sport Ireland, Motorsport Ireland and its affiliated clubs.
Shane Maguire Retains West Coast Title
Ballinode’s Shane Maguire finished 2nd overall on the Kerry Winter Stages Rally on Sunday last 19th November, with Donal Balfe navigating. This result earned him the overall Top Part West Coast Championship 2017 title for a third year in a row.
Cavan’s Gary Kiernan and Limerick navigator Keith Moriarty scored a start-to-finish victory. The Escort crew were 11 seconds quicker than last year’s winners Daniel Cronin and Shane Buckley over the opening 17km stage near Abbeydorney. After two stages they were a further 23 seconds to the good and by this stage it was a matter of who could finish second.
Cronin’s challenge ended at the start of stage four when a wheel bearing failed in his new Mitsubishi Lancer E10. Clare driver Padraig Egan looked certain to take over the second spot on the podium but a puncture on the same stage ended his hopes. This left Shane Maguire as the comfortable second placed driver and the West Coast title to boot.
County Monaghan Motor Club 