Author: monaghanmotorclub

 

Michael Conlon & Ciaran McPhillips were the top Monaghan finishers on  last weekend’s Donegal Forestry Rally which was a counting round of the Irish Forestry Championship.

The Donegal town based event consisted of eight stages. Conlon/McPhillips were once again at forefront of the two wheel drive battle. They ended up finishing 5^th overall and 1^st in class 13.

They were the second two wheel drive finishers behind David Crossan/Damien Fleming.

 

Derek Mackarel switched to the family Lancer for the first time.

After a string of disappointing retirements, the Stonebrige man and navigator Daire Hayes were delighted to take 11^th overall and class 15 honours.

They got to grips with the Lancer as the day wore on and their stages times improved.

Michael & Ciaran Tynan also made a return to the forestry stages after a lay off of several years.

The Clones pair came home 16^th overall and 3^rd in class. Arthur Kierans was navigating for Johnny Leonard but they retired on stage two.

Last weekend’s Glens of Antrim Rally was a counting round of the Northern Ireland Rally Championship. The event consisted of classic stages such as Torr Head and Glendun on the North Antrim coast. A number of Monaghan crews made their way to the event.

Top finishing locals were Michael Carbin & Conor Mohan who claimed 12th overall and class 8 honours in their Mitsubishi Lancer. Jack McKenna guided the hard charging Jason Black to 13th overall and a dominant class 4 win in their Starlet. Matthew McKenna guided Brian McFall to 20th overall. Thomas Treanor joined forces with Damien Toner but they dropped out of 4th overall after a long delay on the final stage coming home 57th overall.
Carlow Stages Rally

The Carlow Stages Rally took place in blissful sunshine last weekend. The event was on an opt out year of the National Rally Championship and once again hosted the Mk2 challenge. With new stages in Co. Kilkenny being used, the event had plenty of challenge for the competitors. Andrew Grennan was the sole club member to compete. He joined forces with Vivian Hamaill for the event. The pair came home in a strong 4th overall, taking the class win to boot. Local man David Condell took overall honours.

Sam Moffett & Karl Atkinson made it a perfect fortnight by taking overall victory on the Killarney Rally of the Lakes last weekend, Round 3 of the Irish Tarmac Championship. The Monaghan-Cork pair finished the opening day in third but charged through the Sunday stages to emerge victorious by 16 seconds in the end. The result moved them into the lead of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.

Monaghan crews finished in each of the top three positions with Damien Connolly guiding Robert Barrable to 2^nd with Stephen Wright/Arthur Kierans finishing 3^rd overall.

 

The opening day contained the classic stages of Moll’s Gap, Tim Healy Pass, Cod’s Head, Ardgroom and Kilmackilogue. Alastair Fisher made the early running but dropped out on stage four promoting Roy White into the lead in his WRC Fiesta. Robert Barrable/Damien Connolly led the Tarmac Championship runners in their Hyundai  i20, 18.3 seconds clear of Moffett/Atkinson after the opening day. Stephen Wright/Arthur Kierans were in 4^th place but over two minutes adrift. Brendan Cumiskey/Ronan O’Kane held 6^th overall in their Skoda.

 

The second day featured another run over Moll’s Gap followed by stages at Ballaghbeama, Caragh Lake & Kilgobnet. Moffett/Atkinson upped their pace over the new stages charging past Barrable into 2^nd place on Stage 11. Rally leader Roy White damaged his Fiesta on a chicane while trying to hold off the charging Moffett and was forced to retire, promoting Moffett/Atkinson into the lead. They held off Barrable on the final two tests to secure Sam’s second Killarney win and his first Tarmac Championship win of 2017.

 

Barrable/Connolly took 2^nd with Wright/Kierans almost 4 minutes back in 3^rd, such was the pace of the top two crews. Brendan Cumiskey/Ronan O’Kane finished in 6^th while Darragh Kelly guided Aaron McHale to 7^th overall. Pauric Duffy/Kevin Glynn finished in 9^th.

 

The Irish Tarmac Championship continues with the Donegal International Rally on the weekend of 16^th to 18^th June.

May Day Rally Enniskillen

On the St. Angelo Airport based May Day Rally in Enniskillen, Brendan Treanor/Garry Farrelly finished 68^th overall, Patrick Connolly/Benny McCrudden were 71^st overall and Stefan McCann/Dylan Lennon were 72^nd overall

Sam Moffett claimed his third Monaghan Stages Rally win after a start to finish victory on the Four Seasons Hotel-backed event in his Focus WRC. Ably guided by the experienced Karl Atkinson, Moffett took the lead on stage one and never looked back coming home 26 seconds clear of the similar Focus of Donagh Kelly & Conor Foley. Donegal’s Declan & Brian Boyle completed the podium places in another Focus. This was Sam’s third win in a row in the 2017 Triton National Rally Championship, putting him in a commanding position in the series.

 

There was a little rain in the air as competitors left the Four Seasons Hotel for the opening 14.9km Stranooden test. Moffett/Atkinson immediately set the pace, stunning the opposition with a time 8.3 seconds quicker than anyone else. Declan & Brian Boyle slotted into 2^nd with Donagh Kelly a further second in arrears. Sam again set the pace on stages 2 and 3 and arrived at first service with a 21.5 second lead over Kelly/Foley. Declan Boyle was in 3^rd despite reporting to be down on power with Stephen Wright/Arthur Kierans getting the best out of their R5 Fiesta to hold 4^th. There was major disappointment for last year’s winner Josh Moffett who crashed out on stage two. Luckily there was no major injury to either Josh or co-driver Stephen Thornton. Brendan Cumiskey/Ronan O’Kane were another early retirement on stage 1 after hitting a chicane.

 

Gary Kiernan/Ryan Moore led the modified crews from Jonathan Pringle/Paul Sheridan who was competing for the first time in eight months. Gary McPhillips/James McNulty dropped out on stage two with a broken half-shaft while Brian Brogan/Damien McGettigan didn’t even make stage 1 with a gearbox issue. David Guest led Group N by less than a second from Shane Maguire.

 

Conditions brightened somewhat for the second loop before the clouds closed in as competitors made their way through stage six. Moffett was fastest again on stage four before Kelly set fastest times on stages 5 and 6 but trailed by 24.4 seconds at service. Boyle was still just 6.1 seconds further back in 3^rd. Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry had climbed to 4^th ahead of Wright/Kierans in 5^th. Reigning National Champions Roy White/James O’Brien were in 6^th in their Fiesta despite an intercom issue on stage five.

 

Gary Kiernan was sidelined with an oil leak which allowed Pringle/Sheridan to hit the front of the modified field. Damien Gallagher/Mac Walsh from Donegal were pushing him hard just 7.2 seconds behind with Damien Toner/Denver Rafferty in 3^rd place. It couldn’t be closer in Group N as Guest/Robinson and Maguire/Kelly were tied on time with three stages remaining.

 

As the weather closed in on the final loop Moffett/Atkinson kept their cool to cement a solid victory. In the end they were 26.8 seconds clear and got an additional bonus point for fastest time on the final stage. Kelly/Foley were 2^nd in their Focus but couldn’t match the pace of Moffett during the day. The Boyle’s came home 3^rd and secured some useful championship points. Maguire/Sherry pipped Wright/Kierans to 4^th place on the final test by just 0.9 of a second.

 

Roy White/James O’Brien came home 6^th with Jonathan Pringle/Paul Sheridan taking modified honours in 7^th. Damien Gallagher/Mac Walsh, Damien Toner/Denver Rafferty and Raymond Conlon/Darren McCague in a hired Escort completed the top 10.

 

Shane Maguire/Darragh Kelly snatched the Group N win and 11^th overall overhauling the Cork/Donegal team of David Guest/Paddy Robinson on the final stage. Neil & Gerard Tohill were a distant 3^rd in Group N.

Local Crews Successful

 

Andrew Grennan guided Vivian Hamill to 12^th overall in their Escort. David Moffett/Martin Connolly took class 13 honour sand 16^th overall after a day long battle with Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips who were 17^th and 2^nd in class 13. David’s father Maurice Moffett & Jason McKenna came home 19^th overall. Anthony Hand/Peter Deery finished 21^st overall and 2^nd in class 11R. Carrickmacross pair Johno Doogan/Ciaran Marron finished 23^rd overall. Emmet Sherry guided Tommy O’Connell to 29^th overall. Martin McPhillips/Ciaran Tynan took 31^st overall and 3^rd in class 11R.

 

Kaine Treanor navigated Jason Roche to 32^nd overall with reigning club champion Martin Tynan and his cousin Declan 35th overall and 1^st in class 15. Class 10 was one of the most exciting on the day with four crews nose to tail throughout. Mickey & Ryan Brennan came out on top by just 4.5 seconds taking 46^th overall to boot. John & Niall Kelly had to settle for 2^nd with Cathal Sheridan/Shane Farrell 3^rd in their Nova.

 

David Smyth/Carmel Tuite came home 58^th overall with Gerard McGivney/Ciaran McGorman just behind. Wayne Feeley/Peter Farrell were 61^st with Gary McPhillips/James McNulty in 73^rd after finishing the event under Rally 2 rules. Brendan Keenan/Sean Lynch, Donal Crossan/Paul Lennon, Christopher Brennan/Martin Hughes, Damien Treanor/David Treanor, Gerard Corey/Kevin Treanor and Cian Curley/Emmet McCooey completed the list of Monaghan finishers.

 

Retirements:

The following Monaghan crews failed to make the finish.

Josh Moffett/Stephen Thornton, Brendan Cumiskey/Ronan O’Kane, Michael Carbin/Conor Mohan, Jim McKenna/Damien McKenna, Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden, James McCarville/Paddy McCrudden, Gary Cassidy/Paul Kelly, Shane Cassidy/Calum Maguire, Paddy O’Reilly/David Fitzsimons, Sean McCaul/Frank Clerkin, Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes, Mark Deery/Nigel Brennan, Conor Hagan/Darren McCaffrey, Jonathan Treanor/Adrian Foley & Jason Black/Jack McKenna.

 

Acknowledgments:

 

At the well-attended prizegiving in the Four Seasons Hotel on Sunday evening, Clerk of the Course Thomas Treanor thanked all who helped make the event such a success. He thanked the residents along the route for their welcome, co-operation and support.

Over 200 marshals lined the rally route during the course of the day and they received a special word of thanks, a well as the Civil Defence personnel who worked long hours during the event.

 

He had special mention for Monaghan County Council and Monaghan Municipal District who have helped the club to promote and facilitate the rally, which continues to grow in stature. He thanked An Garda Siochana for their help and assistance over the course of the weekend. Their presence was very evident in ensuring that traffic continued to flow despite the heavy volume.

 

Sean McCaffrey received special mention for his live broadcasts throughout the day, which can still be accessed on the Monaghan Motor Club Facebook page. There was a final word of thanks to Frank McKenna and his team at the Four Seasons Hotel for their support. Once again thanks to all involved, the Monaghan Stages Rally was another resounding success.

 

Four Seasons Hotel Monaghan Stages Rally Top 10

 

1 Sam Moffett/Karl Atkinson (Fiesta WRC) 61m 52s,
2 Donagh Kelly/Conor Foley (Focus WRC) 62m 19s,
3 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Fiesta WRC) 62m 34s,
4 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Impreza WRC) 64m 57s,
5 Stephen Wright/Arthur Kierans (Ford Fiesta R5) 64m 58s,
6 Roy White/James O’Brien (Fiesta WRC) 65m 05s,
7 Jonathan Pringle/Paul Sheridan (Escort) 67m 07s,
8 Damien Gallagher/Mac Walsh (Escort) 67m 16s,
9 Damien Toner/Denver Rafferty (Escort) 67m 32s,
10 Raymond Conlon/Darren McCague (Escort) 67m 55s.
Group N Award: Shane Maguire/Darragh Kelly (Lancer
Evo 9) 68m 13s.

 

The country roads of Monaghan are set to roar with the sounds of Rally Cars as the Four Seasons Hotel Monaghan Stages Rally kicks into gear on Sunday next. After eight months of hard work, it’s time for the 2017 Monaghan Stages Rally to take off. Recognised as one of the most popular and competitive events in the Irish Motorsport Calendar, the Monaghan Stages Rally heads to new ground this year. The Four Seasons Hotel takes over as event HQ for the first time since 1995. We thank Frank McKenna & his team for taking us on board. The event is a counting round of the Triton National Rally Championship and Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship.

 

The event gets under way on Saturday as competitors check their pacenotes and complete mechanical scrutiny at McElvaney’s on the Dublin Road. The first car will leave the Four Seasons Hotel at 10.00am on Sunday Morning en route to the first of nine stages in the Mid-Monaghan area. The opening test is in the Stranooden area followed by stages in the Scotshouse and Smithborough areas before the cars return to Monaghan for service in the Courthouse Car Park. This loop will be repeated twice more before competitors arrive back at the Four Seasons Hotel shortly after 5.00pm where the winners of the 2017 Four Seasons Monaghan Stages Rally will be crowned!

 

The event has attracted a superb entry of over 120 cars plus juniors, a tremendous achievement given the current challenges facing Irish rallying. The winning of the rally has been a Moffett family affair over the past four years. Josh Moffett has won the previous two events and hopes to complete a rare Monaghan hat-trick which has only been achieved once before. Stephen Thornton joins him for this event. His brother Sam scored wins in 2013 and 2014 and has been runner-up in the last two years. Sam & navigator Karl Atkinson have dominated the 2017 National Rally Championship so far with commanding wins in the Birr and Midland events. The pair should have the edge with their Fiesta WRC over Josh’s R5 model.

 

At No.3 is double National champion Declan Boyle in another Fiesta WRC. The pair have had mixed results since acquiring the car last year but when on the pace, there are few in the country who can match the Donegal man. Declan last competed in 2013 where he led until caught on slicks in a sudden rain shower causing a spin. He will be determined to stop Sam on his home patch and strengthen his National Championship aspirations.

 

Defending National Champions Roy White & James O’Brien start at 4 in their Fiesta WRC. The Tipperary man has had a steady start to the year and was 2^nd last time out in the Midland rally. Another former National Champion, Donagh Kelly is at 5 with Ballinode’s Conor Foley navigating. This pair have recorded a number of International wins and most recently recorded a fourth straight win on the West Cork Rally. Their 2.0Ltr Ford Focus will be suited to the fast stages.

 

Seven time winner, Niall Maguire with Enda Sherry navigating start at 6 in their Impreza WRC. This pair have been ever consistent in the National Rally Championship and always put in a good showing on their home event. Peader Hurson & Damien Connolly are at 7 in another Fiesta WRC. Peader won the rally the last time it was held in the Four Seasons in a Metro 6R4. Now with a modern WRC car, Peader will be aiming to show his undoubted talent over the Monaghan Stages.

 

Stephen Wright & Arthur Kierans take a break from their Tarmac Championship campaign to start at 8 in their Fiesta R5. The Aghabog pair will be aiming to impress over their home stages. Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC) and Brendan Cumiskey (Skoda Fabia) complete the top ten seeds.

 

The modified entry is spectacular with some of the top drivers in Ireland set to compete. Jonathan Pringle was the top modified last year and is out to defend his crown. He has recruited local man Paul Sheridan into the hot seat for this weekend. Paul’s regular driver Gary McPhillips has Donegal’s James McNulty joining him this weekend. Gary will be giving it his all as ever to be the top Escort finisher. Gary Kiernan is usually in the running for the Modified win and should be right in the thick of the battle. Brian Brogan. Adrian Hetherington, Damien Toner and Damien Gallagher are just some of the other names that will be gunning for honours.

 

David Guest, Shane Maguire, Aiden Wray, Neil Tohill and Paul Barrett will all be set to fight for Group N honours. Local hotshot Jonathan Treanor should be the man to beat in the Junior Category in his rapid Civic. The juniors compete on six of the nine stages.

 

Safety Message

 

Clerk of the Course Thomas Treanor has made a special appeal to all concerned to think safety at all times. The Event Safety Plan has been compiled meticulously. Marshals, Stage Commanders and Officials have been trained accordingly. What is required is that spectators play their part to ensure the safe running of the event. All are asked to ‘keep the race in its place’ and drive with care to and from the stages. Take time to read the Spectator Safety notice in the rally programme, which provides a guide to safer spectating. Safety is everybody’s business and there is one common ingredient that is essential: common sense.  Spectators are asked to please follow the instructions of the marshals and officials, who are working for your safety. Please also respect private property where you assemble and bring your litter home.

 

Monaghan Motor Club wishes all competitors and spectators a safe and enjoyable rally.