Co. Monaghan Motor Club CLG goes International
County Monaghan Motor Club members were competing around the globe recently.
Shane Farrell was in Western Australia navigating for Eamonn McNabb on the Experts Cup 2026.
The event’s ten special-stages were based around the town of Collie in the South West region of Western Australia.
The event was obviously organised by a group of working dog owners as it was a border collie event in a way. That word play has me feeling a little sheepish…
Eamonn and Shane finished the event in 2nd place overall using a Ford Fiesta Rally2.
Macartan ‘Mac’ Kierans was also competing in Australia recently. Mac was navigating for Richie Dalton in ‘Heat 1’ and ‘Heat 2’ of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Narooma Rally 2026.
Unfortunately for the lads, there was an early retirement on ‘Heat 1’ as the propshaft broke at the gearbox in their Toyota GR Yaris AP4 just six kilometres into the very first special-stage. Their mechanics got the car repaired overnight and they were able to contest ‘Heat 2’ the following morning. In ‘Heat 2’ the lads didn’t let the previous day’s disappointment get to them as they took the win by some 17.4 seconds to retain their lead of the New South Wales Championship.
Closer to home, all be it, I wouldn’t walk or swim it. Both Killian McArdle and Paul McPhillips were competing in Italy in preparation for the European Rally Championship event held there this weekend.
On last weekend’s Rally Internazionale del Casentino 2026, Killian guided Casey Jay Coleman to 3rd in the Rally3 class, and Paul guided Cian Caldwell to 5th in the same class.
These results will be of real importance to either crew as they were using this event to get a feel for the Italian tarmac and figure out the ideal car setup ahead of the all-important Fiesta Rally3 Trophy championship event ‘Rally di Roma Capitale 2026’ this weekend.
Bobby Connolly was racing in the third round of the Motorsport Ireland Karting Championship held at Whiteriver Park in County Louth last weekend. Bobby finished in 11th place in Qualifying, Heat 1, Heat 2 and 16th in the final as he got to grips with his new kart.
The Motorsport Ireland National Navigation Championship awards night took place in the Athlone Springs Hotel last weekend. Co. Monaghan Motor Club Members Evin Hughes and Pakie Duffy were crowned national navigation champions once again after the eight rounds.
A huge thank you to everyone who supported our Static Car Show and Shine event held on Sunday last.
The event attracted a large gathering of vintage, sports and rally cars for the public to view up close and gave them the ability to ask the vehicle owner questions on their car and its build or restoration process.
All monies gathered on the day will be divided between two worthy charities, SOSAD and the Co. Monaghan branch of Crocus Cancer Support.
2026 Stages Rally
Regulations and entry are now available for the rescheduled Four Seasons Hotel Ronnie Hawe Monaghan Stages Rally 2026. The rescheduled event will take place on Sunday August 2nd.
Oisín Sherlock
County Monaghan Motor Club 