The 79. McKinney Competitions Circuit of Ireland Rally 2026 took place last weekend.
The two-day international event took place on Friday and Saturday over twelve special stages located in the area between Carrickmore and Benburb County Tyrone.
Donegal man David Kelly and navigator Shane Buckley took their first ever Irish Tarmac Rally Championship victory by 0.5s over
Co. Monaghan man Josh Moffett navigated by Andy Hayes.
Josh’s older sibling Sam navigated by Pierce O’Callaghan finished in 4th overall and took 1st in class 1.
Andrew Mackarel and Richard Cassidy finished 37th overall in their Opel Ascona.
There was less luck for a lot of other County Monaghan Motor Club CLG members as Arthur Kierans navigating for Alan Carmichael retired as did Adam Langan and his driver David Porter.
Nigel Brennan/Mark Sheridan and Kaine Treanor navigating for Kevin Quinn also retired. Gary McCruddan navigating for Paidi Hamill.
John McQuaid/Thomas Treanor were other motor club members who failed to reach the finish.
Young Jack Treanor navigated by Jack Cassidy was competing in the latest Rally Sport Association event held at Shackleton Barracks, Ballykelly County Derry last weekend.
Out of the fourteen competitors in their class, Jack finished a fantastic 2nd in his Škoda Citigo.
The 2026 Four Seasons Hotel Ronnie Hawe Monaghan Stages Rally is taking place this weekend. Thomas Treanor and team have picked three demanding stages in the north Monaghan region. The event has attracted a full entry. The event is a counting round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship, the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship the Dacia Sandero Challenge Cup and the Monaghan Motor Club Traders Championship. Josh Moffett and Keith Moriarty will lead the capacity filled entry away from the Four Seasons Hotel Monaghan on Sunday morning fully intending to repeat their victorious drive on the 2024 event. Spectators are reminded to always watch the competing cars from a safe location and to Keep the Race in its place at all times.
Oisín Sherlock
County Monaghan Motor Club 