County Monaghan Motor Club

The 2019 Irish Forestry Championship kicked off with the Carrick-on-Suir Forestry Rally. The six stage event incorporated stages in the Wexford area. These stages haven’t been used for several years providing a fresh challenge for the championship regulars. Reigning Champions, Josh Moffett & Stephen Thornton didn’t make the start so 2017 Champions Sam Moffett & James Fulton and top seeds Barry McKenna/Andy Hayes led the Monaghan charge.

Moffett/Fulton were having their first taste of the woods in over a year and settled into a steady pace. They finished the opening loop in 4^th place, 10 seconds off pace setter Martin McCormack/Barney Mitchell. McKenna/Hayes were a further 11 seconds back in a similar Ford Fiesta R5. The pair maintained their positions over the second loop with Moffett/Fulton missing out on a podium position by just two seconds.

Brendan Cumisky/Ronan O’Kane secured 9^th overall in their Skoda Fabia R5. Calum Maguire guided Peter McCullagh to 11^th overall with Michael Carbin/Conor Mohan finishing just behind in 12^th place in their Lancer. Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips brought their Escort home to 19^th overall and 2^nd in class 14.

Arthur Kierans guided Billy Coleman Award Winner, James Wilson, to 24^th overall and 2^nd in class 2. Derek Mackarel/Muireann Hayes emerged home 26^th overall and 2^nd in the Junior class just 7 seconds off the winner after a close battle all day. Michaela McGinn guided Damien McGauren to 27^th overall and 3^rd in class. Conor Boylan guided Peter Beaton to 3^rd in the Junior 1000 class.

The Irish Forestry Championship will continue with the Limerick Forestry Rally in early March.