County Monaghan Motor Club

Defending National Night Navigation Champions, Derek Mackarel & Muireann Hayes, remain on course for the successful defence of their title after back to back 2^nd places finishes on the Skibbereen 100 Isles & Cork 1000 Shakes Navigation Trials. These events occurred in successive weekends after the postponement of the Cork event in January.

 

On the 100 Isles, it proved to be a very demanding event with very high penalties for most crews. In the end it was the team of James Fitzgerald/Ken Carmody who took the win from Mackarel/Hayes. The following weekend, some snowy and icy conditions faced crews on the Macroom based 1000 Shakes. On this occasion, overall honours went to Owen Murphy & Daire Hayes with Mackarel/Hayes edging out Fitzgerald/Carmody on a tie-break for 2^nd place.

 

Mackarel/Hayes hold the advantage on points with Fitzgerald/Carmody not far back in 2^nd place. Mac Kierans/Conor Boylan have contested all rounds to date and hold 3^rd place. Two rounds remain in Cavan & Monaghan next month and dropped scores could also play a factor in where the 2018-2019 National title will go.

 

Galway International Rally

 

The 2019 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship kicks into gear this weekend with the return of the Galway International Rally after a year’s absence. The event will be a 1 day event contested over 10 stages on Sunday 10^th February. The last two championships have been won by the Moffett brothers, Sam & Josh and both are scheduled to make the start next weekend in their R5 Fiestas. International Rally Star, Craig Breen, is the top seeds and firm event favourite.

 

The top 10 includes multiple former Tarmac and National Champions make the top 10 with many crews switching to R5 cars for the first time. Conor Foley is once again sitting with Donegal’s Donagh Kelly as they adapt to their new Skoda Fabia R5. Niall Maguire & Anthony Nestor are also on the Entry List in their Subaru WRC. Stephen Wright/Arthur Kierans return to the stages after nearly a year’s absence. Brendan Cumisky/Ronan O’Kane and Aaron McHale/Enda Sherry are also R5 mounted.

 

Paul Kelly is sitting for David Condell and Emmet Sherry is sitting with Stuart Darcy in the Modified category while Raymond Conlon/Damien Fleming are also amongst the front runners.

 

 

AGM

 

The Annual General Meeting of Co. Monaghan Motor Club was held in the Four Seasons Hotel on Wednesday 23^rd January before a large attendance. Secretary Paul Hughes in his report summarised what had been a busy and successful year for the club. He appealed for more volunteers to share the workload. The Chairman Conor Maguire thanked all who had helped and supported the club and its activities throughout the year. In particular he thanked the Four Seasons as main sponsor of the Stages Rally, all local sponsors and those who provided venues for events, as well as residents and landowners along the routes of the events. There was a round of applause for all club members who were successful at both International and National level in 2018.

 

The election of officers for 2019 resulted as follows:

Chairman: Conor Maguire, Vice-Chairman: Brendan Flynn, Secretary: Paul Hughes, Treasurer: Cathal MacArtain, Ast, Treasuer: Brendan Flynn, PRO: Evin Hughes, Registrar: Ronnie Hawe, Committee: Kerry Stevenson, Eoghan Corr, Michael Sheridan, Cathal McGlone, Shane Farrell, Garry Farrelly, Ciaran Tynan, Fintan Keenan, Samuel Patterson and Emmet Sherry.