The Triton Showers National Rally Championship Awards Night took place over the weekend in the Sheraton Hotel in Athlone. Josh Moffett and his Co. Limerick navigator Keith Moriarty secured the overall championship title. Amazingly, this is Josh’s forth consecutive National Rally Championship title and his navigator Keith’s third consecutive title as Andy Hayes navigated Josh to his maiden national title in 2019. Second overall in this year’s championship went to Sam Moffett and James O’Reilly. Josh and Keith’s title defence got off to the worst possible start after retiring on the opening round in Mayo. Sam and James took victory on that event. Fortunes changed on round 2 for Josh and Keith. Round 2 was our own Ronnie Hawe Four Seasons Hotel Monaghan Stages Rally and Josh and Keith took victory over Sam and James here. This result was repeated on Round 3 in Birr, with Josh/Keith taking victory over Sam/James. Carlow was Round 4 and this event was a disaster for both Moffett brothers as retirement was the result. Sam/James retired completely but Josh/Keith managed to rejoin but finished 91st. The Circuit of Munster (Limerick) was round 5, Sam/James didn’t compete on this event and Josh/Keith finished 5th. On Rounds 6 and 7, Stonethrowers (Tipperary) and Galway Summer, Josh and Keith finished 1st overall with Sam and James Finishing 2nd on both occasions.
The final round was the Donegal Harvest Stages Rally and as it stood, Josh and Keith were 4 points behind joined leaders Daniel Cronin/Donnchadh Burke and Eddie Doherty/Tom Murphy. Sam and James were 4th in the Championship. When dropped scores were taken into account, Josh and Keith would move to 1st OA and Sam and James would move to 2nd OA, just two points adrift of his younger brother. It was still all to play for, leaving service and heading to the final three stages of the 2024 Triton Showers National Rally Championship. Cronin/Burke retired on Stage 7 and Doherty/Murphy were down in 12th OA, so It was looking increasingly likely that the championship title would be decided by the power stage times. However, it would not come down to the power stage times as Sam and James picked up a puncture on the penultimate stage, while just 3.5s down on Josh. The puncture dropped Sam and James over four minutes, meaning Josh and Keith just had to finish the last stage in their current position to secure the championship title once again.
Anthony Hand/David McCrudden finished 2nd in class 11R and Martin McPhillips finished 3rddriver. Michael Conlon/James McEnaney finished 2nd in class 12. Pierce O’Callaghan finished 2nd navigator in class 14. Brian Cumiskey finished 1st driver in class 15. Cathal Sheridan/Coel Leonard finished 1st in class 10.
Michael Carbin, completed his first year in his Ford Escort with the overall MkII Challenge title and 10th OA. Darragh Kelly navigating for Paul Barrett finished 10th OA.
The Motorsport Ireland National Navigation Trial Championship continues this weekend with Skibbereen and District Motor Club’s Carbery Navigation Trial. Iarla and Eoghan McCarthy have organised an 85-mile event based out of Kilmurry GAA Club. The first car begins Saturday night at 21:01.
Oisín Sherlock
County Monaghan Motor Club 