The biggest event in the Irish Rallying calendar, the Joule Donegal International Rally was the motorsport centrepiece last weekend. This event is the only three day rally still running in Ireland and attracts the biggest crowds of the year. The rally was Round 5 of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. Once again, Monaghan Motor Club was well represented and club members achieved up some excellent results during the weekend. Enda Sherry followed the success of Daniel McKenna/Andrew Grennan and Gary McPhillips/Paul Sheridan in previous years by winning the National Rally with his Scottish driver, David Bogie. Enda who is a former Tarmac Champion now adds another major trophy to his list of achievements.
In the International section of the event, Conor Foley was co-driving reigning Tarmac & National Champion, Donagh Kelly. Clontibret brothers Sam Moffett & Josh Moffett were competing in their Fiesta R5s while Arthur Kierans joined forces with Newbliss driver Stephen Wright in another R5 Fiesta. The pace was intense from the word go. Kelly/Foley briefly led after going fastest on stage 2 but finished the opening day in a close 2nd place behind local aces Declan & Brian Boyle. Sam Moffett/Karl Atkinson finished the day 6th overall and 2nd R5 with his brother Josh & John Rowan 11 seconds behind in 7th. Wright/Kierans recovered from a Stage 1 delay to hold 11th overall and 6th in class. Castleblayney’s Pauric Duffy with Kevin Glynn co-driving made the trip home from Australia and held 13th overall in their Fiesta.
The battle between Boyle & Kelly continued on day two as they traded fastest times. After 10 stages Kelly/Foley were still just 10 seconds in arrears but it all came to an end as they went out of the rally on Stage 11. Moffett/Atkinson made good progress and climbed to 2nd overall after Alastair Fisher & Manus Kelly hit trouble. There was yet more drama as the Boyles retired with gear linkage failure on the last Saturday stage promoting Moffett/Atkinson into a surprise lead. The Monaghan man held a tiny 0.3 second lead from Seamus Leonard (Subaru WRC) with the recovering Keith Cronin (Citroen DS3) only 3 seconds further behind in 3rd. Josh Moffett, hindered by engine problems, slipped back to almost a minute behind his brother but still was a solid 5th overall. Wright/Kierans made steady progress to 8th overall while Duffy/Glynn were in 12th.
Conditions took a turn for the worse on the final with treacherous wet conditions causing plenty of problems. 4th placed Manus Kelly was the man on the move on the final day as he charged after the leaders in his Subaru WRC. Cronin took the lead on the opening Glen stage while Leonard passed Moffett for 2nd. Leonard retired on Fanad Head but Kelly moved up to 2nd with Sam a solid 3rd. In the end, Manus Kelly & Donall Barrett snatched an incredible 0.5 second victory over Cronin after a huge push over the final Fanad Head stage. Moffett/Atkinson bagged a fine 3rd overall and 2nd placed Irish Tarmac points after a strong drive all weekend. Moffett/Rowan came home in 4th overall to cap off a great weekend for the Moffett Family.
Wright/Kierans finished 5th overall on their first event together setting some good stage times along the way. Duffy/Glynn missed out on a top 10 finish after losing three minutes on Atlantic Drive. They still came home 11th overall and 5th in class.
Enda Sherry joined forces with David Bogie for the first time since 2011. The multiple Scottish Champion swapped his normal Skoda Fabia for a Mk2 Escort which he debuted on last year’s event. The pair held 6th overall after the opening day. Richard Moffett/Martin Connolly were 8th overall continuing their impressive pace from previous years. David Moffett & local navigator, Johnny Baird held 15th overall with Gerard McQuaid/Thomas Treanor 19th and Michael Carbin/Darragh Kelly 20th.
Day Two also saw plenty of drama in the National Rally with Brian Brogan & Jonathan Pringle both dropping out of the lead. Frank Kelly/Michael Coady charged to the front holding a nine second advantage over Bogie/Sherry. Bogie/Sherry put in an almighty charge over the Glen stage on Sunday morning taking over 20 seconds off Kelly. From there until the end, they maintained their advantage over the Tyrone man finishing 20 seconds ahead by the end of the final stage.
David Moffett/Johnny Baird finished 8th overall and 4th in class 13 after a good steady run all weekend. Michael Carbin/Darragh Kelly also put in a strong run to take 12th overall and a very close 2nd in class 20. Richard Moffett/Martin Connolly suffered last minute heartbreak as they slipped from 5th to 13th overall after losing over five minutes. Gerard McQuaid/Thomas Treanor were pleased with their run to 14th overall and 7th in class 13. Emmet Sherry guided Tommy O’Connell to 22nd overall and 10th in class 13 after getting quicker and quicker during the event.
Damien Connolly had the privilege of sitting with the great James Cullen. Cullen who was competing on the 25th anniversary of his first Donegal win competed in a class 14 Escort with local sponsors enabling him to compete. Much to their delight, he brought it home in 27th overall and 4th in class. Gerard & Gavin McGivney from Carrickmacross finished 52nd overall and 20th in class 13 in their Escort.
In the Historic Rally which was contested over the Saturday and Sunday stages, Brendan & JP McAree took 6th overall in the Porsche. David Wright, father of Stephen, made a return to rallying also in a Porsche. He and co-driver, Ashley McAdoo took 8th overall. Paddy Brennan was competing in Donegal for the first time in 26 years when the late Gary Nesbitt navigated for him. His son-in-law, Damien Doherty, was on the notes and despite a small brush with a wall in Carn Hill they had an enjoyable run, winning their Historic class in the process. They extend thanks to their team for their help both before and during the event. In the Junior Rally which was contested over the Sunday stages, Jonathan Treanor/Stephen McElroy charged back from an early delay to take a fine 3rd overall.
There were plenty of tales of woe from the weekend. John McQuaid/Stephen Hagan had a very short run retiring on the very first stage. They re-started on Saturday only to retire again on Stage 8. Vivian Hamill/Andrew Grennan were pushing hard until they crashed out on stage 4. James McCarville & Gareth Doherty were putting in an impressive drive and were 33rd overall and 4th in class but were forced out on the penultimate stage. David Smyth/Loretta Kelly retired their Corolla on Stage 8.
The Squealing Pig Border Navigation Championship Prizegiving takes place this Friday night, 24th June in the Squealing Pig Bar & Restaurant, Monaghan Town. Pakie Duffy & Evin Hughes won the 2015-16 Championship, completing a double following their National success. All welcome.
Ballinamuck driver Pakie Duffy & Ballybay navigator Evin Hughes claimed the National Night Navigation Championship Trophy for the second successive year at the annual prizegiving on Saturday last 11th June in Portlaoise. The Longford/Monaghan duo took three wins from seven starts to overcome the challenge of Skibbereen pair, Dermot Whelton & Mark McCarthy. Clones pair Michael Tynan & Ciaran Tynan made just five starts but their results were good enough to claim 3rd overall.
Monaghan Club Members were also successful in the classes. Richard Cassidy claimed 2nd overall driver. Keith McConnon/Micheal McCluskey won the Semi-Expert class with Peter & Shane Farrell finishing 2nd. The Novice class was closely contested with just two points separating the top three navigators at the end of the season. Aiden Sherry/Conor Boylan won the class with Colm Mohan/Oisin Sherlock 2nd and Mac Kierans 3rd driver.
The Squealing Pig Border Navigation Championship prizegiving is scheduled to take place on Friday 24th June.
Laois Heartlands Rally
Raymond Conlon/Nicola McKenna were the leading Monaghan crew on last weekend’s Laois Mini Stages Rally. The six stage event consisted of two fast and flowing stages, repeated three times. Conlon/McKenna had a solid run in their Corolla to come home 12th overall and 5th in class 13. John McQuaid/Stephen Hagan also made the trip down as a warm up for the Donegal International next weekend. They retired while holding 15th overall. Stephen Corey/Declan McKenna retired on stage 3 while holding 17th overall.
Mourne Rally
James O’Reilly navigated Derek McGarrity to 2nd overall on last weekend’s Mourne Rally. The event was a counting round of Northern Ireland Rally Championship. Elsewhere, Mac Kierans guided Alan Smyth to a fine 9th overall in their Suzuki Swift.
Mayo Autocross
Regular Autocross competitors, Andy & Derek Mackarel & Michael & Martin Tynan made the trip to Mayo to compete on the local loose surface Autocross. It was Derek Mackarel who set the pace on the opening two runs in the family Evo but Tipperary’s Pat O’Connell stormed through the final run to snatch victory as Mackarel was hit by mechanical problems. Former Mayo Autocross champion, Martin Tynan was in the thick of the action all day and secured 2nd overall thanks to Mackarel’s woes. Martin’s father, Michael Tynan secured 4th overall with Derek’s father, Andy Mackarel taking 5th overall. It was a great day for the Monaghan men as they took four of the five top places out of a total entry of 51. The next Mayo Autocross takes place on July 24th.
Donegal International Rally
Monaghan Motor Club are set to be well represented on next weekend’s Donegal International Rally. Conor Foley joins forces with Donagh Kelly once again as they hope to continue their winning ways in Birr, West Cork & Killarney. Sam Moffett & Josh Moffett slot in at No.8 and No.9 in their R5 Fiestas as they aim to score valuable points for the Irish Tarmac Championship. Stephen Wright/Fintan Sherry will have similar hopes and start at No.14. Enda Sherry is set to navigate for Scotland’s David Bogie at No.19. Damien Connolly is joining forces with local hero, James Cullen, who is coming out of retirement to commemorate 25 years since his first Donegal win.
Andrew Grennan is navigating for Vivian Hamill. Richard Moffett/Martin Connolly & David Moffett/Johnny Baird will be battling it out in their Starlets. Michael Carbin/Darragh Kelly switch back to the Tarmac following their Forestry outings. John McQuaid/Stephen Hagan once again take their Escort to the Donegal hills. Pauric Duffy makes the trip home from Australia to compete in his R5 Fiesta. Emmet Sherry is navigating for Tommy O’Connell at No.80, while Gerard McQuaid/Thomas Treanor are at No.85. James McCarville/Gareth Doherty will be pushing for Class 11R honours as will David Smyth/Loretta Kelly.
Brendan & JP McAree are trying their hand at the Historic Rally which is contested over the Saturday & Sunday stages. Marshals are also required for this event and those available are asked to contact Kerry Stevenson or Paul Hughes.
Monaghan Motor Club members made their presence known as five members competed on last weekend’s SOL Barbados Rally. The event which is marketed to invite crews from Ireland and the UK to compete is held over the space of a week. The King of the Hill challenge takes places the first weekend followed by the rally itself which is run over the second weekend. Jim McKenna/Arthur Kierans, Damien Hagan/Paul Kelly and New York based, Barry McKenna, all represented Monaghan on this year’s event.
McKenna/Kierans stormed through the stages to take an impressive 12th overall in their 2.5 Litre Escort. They also were the highest non-local, two-wheel drive finisher. Damien Hagan/Paul Kelly finished 19th overall. Barry McKenna, who had Donegal’s Leon Jordan navigating, were disappointed to retire on Saturday. They were able to repair their car and come back for the Sunday Cup where they claimed a fine 3rd overall.
Sam Moffett with local man, James Fulton, on the notes took overall victory on last weekend’s Cavan Stages Rally. The event was Round 4 of the Triton National Rally Championship and Round 3 of the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship. The pair overcame the power difference between their R5 Fiesta and the World Rally Car opposition. After nine demanding stages, Moffett/Fulton emerged winners by 29.6 seconds from National Championship leaders, Roy White/James O’Brien. Josh Moffett/John Rowan completed the podium in another R5 Fiesta.
Over the opening loop of stages it was Donegal cousins, Declan & Brian Boyle, setting the pace in their WRC Fiesta. Sam Moffett/James Fulton slotted into 2nd place in their R5 specification Fiesta with Roy White/James O’Brien in 3rd. Josh Moffett/John Rowan were 5th but reported their R5 Fiesta to be down on power. Moffett/Fulton set a scorching time on stage six where they were nine seconds quicker than anyone else. This reduced their deficit to Boyle to less than five seconds. On stage 7 Boyle retired, leaving Moffett/Fulton in the clear out front. They finished off with fastest times on both remaining stages despite the onset of late showers.
White/O’Brien claimed 2nd overall to cement their lead at the top of the National Championship. Josh Moffett/John Rowan moved up to 3rd despite being down on power for much of the day. Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry claimed 4th in their older model Subaru WRC with last year’s winners Peader Hurson/Damien Connolly taking 5th.
Gary McPhillips/Paul Sheridan took Two-wheel-drive honours in 9th overall in their Mk2 Escort. Raymond Conlon/Darren McCague brought their Corolla home 15th and 3rd in class 13. Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips were just behind in 16th overall and 4th in class 13. Shane Maguire/Mac Kierans finished 22nd overall and 3rd in class 4. Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden were once again victorious in class 11R finishing in 27th overall. Martin McPhillips/Ciaran Tynan took 31st overall and 3rd in class 11R. Evin Hughes guided regular Night Nav driver Pakie Duffy to 48th overall and 1st in class 3. Padraig Connolly/Kaine Treanor took class 10 honours and 57th overall. Declan Connolly/Raphael McCaughey finished 67th overall and 4th in class 9 in their Civic. Stefan McCann/John Hughes finished 70th overall and 4th in class 10.
Vivian Hamaill/Andrew Grennan, Robert Moffett/Emmet Sherry, Enda McLaughlin/Declan Tynan, Pauric McArdle/Gregory McQuillan, Paddy O’Reilly/David Fitzsimons and Brendan Keenan/Sean Lynch all failed to make the finish.
The National Rally Championship continues with the ALMC Stages Rally on July 3rd while the Border Rally Championship resumes one week later with the Sligo Stages Rally.
Stephen Wright took his R5 Ford Fiesta to Belgium last weekend to compete on the Sezoens Rally. Stephen was joined by local navigator, Eddy Smeets, reprising their partnership on this event from last year. The mixed surface event consisted of five stages repeated three times varying in length from 7km to 13km. The Monaghan/Belgium partnership put in an impressive showing holding a solid 4th overall for much of the event before being promoted to 3rd on the final loop. This made it back-to-back 3rd place finishes for the pair. Multiple Belgian Champion, Freddy Loix won the event from Kris Princen in 2nd. Both these drivers have made regular appearances at World and European level, making Stephen’s performance all the more noteworthy.
Cavan Stages Rally
Cavan Motor Club plays host to the fourth round of the Triton National Rally Championship and Round 3 of the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship on Sunday next. Monaghan interest is high with Damien Connolly (navigator for Peadar Hurson at No.1), with Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry and the Moffett brothers, Sam & Josh also amongst the top 10 seeds. Marshals are required for this event and those available are asked to contact Kerry Stevenson, if you haven’t already signed up.
County Monaghan Motor Club 