There was mixed success for Monaghan crews on last weekend’s Donegal Harvest Rally.
The event was the final round of the 2018 Triton National Rally Championship as well as the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship.
Josh Moffett was attempting to emulate his brother Sam by completing a hat-trick of championships in the one season after his Tarmac & Forestry title successes. However he faced an up battle as Donegal’s Declan Boyle with Scotstown’s James O’Reilly only needed a top 8 finish to deny Moffett the title.
2017 Champion Sam Moffett & Karl Atkinson set the early pace in very tricky wet conditions. The weather suited their R5 specification Fiesta particularly on stage three where they 10 seconds quicker than anyone else despite a moment on a bank. Josh Moffett/Keith Moriarty were in 2nd despite having to drive most of stage three with two wheel drive only. He trailed his brother by 29 seconds. Title rival Boyle was suffering from a serious head cold and wasn’t taking any chances. He was as low as 20th before a 2nd fastest time on stage three saw him climb to 12th by service.
The Donegal/Monaghan pairing of Donagh Kelly/Conor Foley occupied 3rd place but were already 46 seconds off the lead.
Josh Moffett set fastest times over the second loop of stages to close to 17.7 seconds behind Moffett/Atkinson. There was little that Josh could do as Boyle/O’Reilly had now climbed to 6th place. In the end, Boyle/O’Reilly would finish in 8th place to secure the National title. Josh Moffett/Keith Moriarty had to settle for 2nd place in the rally and the championship. Overall honours went to the ongoing champion Sam Moffett & Karl Atkinson.
Conor Foley guided Donagh Kelly to 3rd overall in their Focus WRC. Johno Doogan/Ciaran Marron finished 30th overall. Paul Kelly guided Tim Enright to 40th overall. Aisling McArdle guided Des Lyons to 60th overall. John Kelly & Niall Kelly took victory in class 10 and 72nd overall. Nigel Brennan/Rebecca Brown finished 75th overall and Christopher Brennan/Martin Hughes took 77th overall.
Monaghan Motor Club Awards Night
The Club’s 2018 Annual Prizegiving and Dinner Dance takes place this Saturday 20th October at the Four Seasons Hotel. It was another stunning season for club members with Josh Moffett winning the Irish Tarmac, Forestry & Celtic Trophy Championships. James O’Reilly won the National Rally Championship, Derek Mackarel won the National & Munster Navigation Championships with Arthur Kierans & Conor Maguire taking the Border Title. The Overall Club Champion of 2018 is Martin Tynan who takes the Trader’s Trophy for the third year in succession.
Tickets are available from committee members.
County Monaghan Motor Club 