Author: monaghanmotorclub

The Joule Donegal International Rally takes place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday and a strong contingent of Monaghan crews are making the trip north to contest the event. Stephen Wright/Mickie Galvin head the Monaghan crews. They are the top seeded class 5 crew at No.8 and will be favourites to take the class on this event. Conor Foley is in line to navigate for local man Martin Doherty and they head the Group N entries at No.9. Gary McPhillips/Paul Sheridan will be going for a three in a row in the National Rally after their successes in 2013 and 2014. Hot on their heels is Daniel McKenna who is set to take the wheel of the Toyota AE86 owned by Brendan Kelly. Daniel and Gary have had mighty battles over the years but it remains to be seen how Daniel adapts to the new car.

Arthur Kierans is the hot seat for Phil Collins at No.23. Collins is another former winner of the National Rally. Pauric Duffy/Kevin Glynn are making the trip from Australia to compete and start at No.36. Michael Carbin/Emmet McCooey are to start at No.41 in their Evo4. Richard Moffett & Martin Connolly are at No.47 in their Starlet and will hope to retain the class 13 trophy they won last year. Raymond Conlon/Adrian Treanor start at 48 with John McQuaid/Stephan Hagan at 50. James McCarville is sitting with Enda McNulty at 51 while Mac Kierans is navigating for Brendan McDaid at 60. David Moffett/Fintan Sherry are seeded back at 65 but will be keeping a close eye on big brother Richard’s times over the weekend! Gerard McQuaid/Gary Quinlan will also be pushing hard in class 13 and hope to improve on their No.81 seeding. Anthony Hand/Peter Deery start at 84 and will be gunning for glory in class 11R.

Emmet Sherry is sitting with Thomas O’Connell in the Historic class which contest 10 stages over the weekend. Brendan McAree & JP McAree are also entered in this class. Finally, Gary McKenna & Nicola McKenna are competing in the Junior Rally which will contest Sunday’s six stages.

Kierans Guides McGeehan Through Dust in Lithuania

 

Arthur Kierans made the long trip to Lithuania to contest the Samsonas Rally Utena. The two day event was contested over 11 gravel stages and Arthur and driver Derek McGeehan finished a respectable 8^th overall.

Upcoming Events:

June 30^th Carrick-on-Suir Ravens Rock Rally

July 5^th ALMC Stages Rally

July 12^th Sligo Stages Rally

There was mixed success for Clontibret brothers, Sam & Josh Moffett, on last weekend’s Sata Rally Acores. Sam & navigator, Karl Atkinson finished 7^th overall while Josh & co-driver, John Rowan retired on day two from 4^th position.

The event was the fourth round of the 2015 European Rally Championship and was contested over 17 gravel stages between Thursday and Saturday. At the end of Thursday’s three stages Josh held 4^th overall, 24 seconds behind event leader Craig Breen. Sam was in 9^th place overnight. Drama was to strike the Moffett/Rowan team on stage four. Josh was caught out over the flying finish and crashed the car ending their event. Sam had a steady drive and held 7^th overall at the end of the day, a position which he would hold until the end of the event. Waterford’s Craig Breen took the event win which was his third successive win in the Championship.

Both Josh & Sam intend to compete on the next round of the championship, the Ypres Rally in Belgium at the end of the month.

Laois Heartlands Rally

 

A number of Monaghan crews competed on the Laois Heartlands Rally last Sunday. Paul Sheridan was the top finishing CMMC member, guiding Vivian Hamill to 4^th overall and 1^st in class 14. James O’Reilly was sitting with Gary Kiernan and they took 5^th overall and 1^st in class 13. They had led after stage four but a delay on stage five dropped them back. Michael Conlon & Ciaran McPhillips were 7^th overall and 2^nd in class 13. Thomas Treanor guided Graham Kelly to 16^th overall and 4^th in class 14.

Duffy/Hughes Crowned National Champions

 

The National Night Navigation Championship prizegiving took place last Saturday in the Gandon Inn in Emo, Portlaoise. Winners Pakie Duffy & Evin Hughes collected the overall trophy and announced their intention to defend the title next year. This was Pakie’s first ever National title after many years of competing, while Evin has added to his first title won in 2012. Laurence Keenan’s Monaghan event was voted the best event of the 2014/15 Championship. Other club members receiving trophies were Michael Tynan/Ciaran Tynan, Laurence Keenan, Keith McConnan & Micheal McCluskey, Derek Mackarel, Paddy & Oisin Sherlock, Colm & Conor Mohan and Conor Boylan.

Upcoming fixtures:

June 19^th-21^st Donegal International Rally

June 28^th Carrick-on-Suir Raven’s Rock Rally

July 5^th ALMC Stages Rally

July 12^th Sligo Stages Rally

 

Niall Maguire & Enda Sherry suffered a set-back in their Triton Showers National Rally Championship campaign after electrical problems forced them to retire on last Sunday’s Circuit of Munster Rally. After six of the nine stages, they were in a strong 2^nd position only for their event to end just metres into stage 7. Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan extended their championship lead after taking overall victory. They are now 37 points clear of Maguire/Sherry with four of the eight rounds completed.

Shane Maguire with Mac Kierans on the notes brought their Lancer home 20^th overall and 5^th in Group N in Shane’s first event since his Monaghan off. Paul Kelly guided local man Paul Purtill to 14^th overall and 5^th in class 13. Barry Ryan/Emmet Sherry retired after an off on stage two after holding a sensational 2^nd overall after the first stage.

National Night Navigation Open Forum & Prizegiving

 

The annual National Night Navigation Open Forum & Prizegiving takes place this Saturday night in the Gandon Inn, Emo, Portlaoise. The forum will commence at 8pm where organisers & competitors have the opportunities to have their say in the running of the sport. There will also be  a discussion on Endurance Trials. The forum will be followed by the National Championship prizegiving. Club members Pakie Duffy & Evin Hughes took overall honours last season after a close battle all year with defending champions, Colin Duffy & Sam Johnston. Other club members to place in the championship included Michael Tynan & Ciaran Tyann who finished 1^st Expert crew, Laurence Keenan was 3^rd Semi-Expert navigator, Keith McConnan was 1^st Novice driver, Micheal McCluskey 2^nd Novice navigatior and Derek Mackarel 3^rd Novice driver. Paddy & Oisin Sherlock won the Beginners class from Colm & Conor Mohan with Conor Boylan 3^rd Navigator.

Upcoming events:

June 7^th Laois Heartlands Rally

June 19^th-21^st Donegal International Rally

June 28^th Ravens Rock Rally

July 5^th ALMC Stages Rally

 

Daniel McKenna & Andrew Grennan resumed their Junior World Rally Championship campaign in Portugal last weekend. The event which was based near Porto was contested over four days and a total of 16 stages. After an impressive start which saw them holding 3^rd in class, the Scotshouse crew had an unfortunate off which damaged their car and forced a re-start under Rally 2. After setting numerous top three times, they had to settle for 9^th in class. Despite the disappointment of this result, the crew still gained plenty of experience for their future JWRC events.

The rally got off to a good start for the pair as they held a strong 3^rd in class at the end of the opening loop of stages. Unfortunately they caught a slower car on stage six. With dust reducing visibility to a minimum they slid wide, breaking a wishbone and driveshaft. The pair were unable to complete the remaining stages so received time penalties for each stage they didn’t complete which left them 12^th in class overnight.

They made steady progress on day two and were an impressive 3^rd fastest on the 37 km stage 10 before going 2^nd fastest on the repeated run of that stage. By the end of the day, they had climbed to 8^th in class. There was drama on the final day as suspension problems cost them more time before they went 3^rd fastest in class on the final stage secured them 9^th in class.

The next round of the Junior World Rally Championship is just six weeks away with Rally Poland taking place between 2^nd and 5^th July.

Hurson/Connolly Crowned Cavan Rally Champions

 

Scotstown’s Damien Connolly guided Warrenpoint’s Peader Hurson to overall victory on last Sunday’s Cavan Stages Rally. The pair led from start to finish to hold off the challenge of multiple Cavan winner Niall Maguire & Enda Sherry who took 2^nd place. Both crews were competing in WRC Subarus. Gary Jennings/Rory Kennedy completed the podium places as they used the event as a testing exercise in preparation for the Donegal International.

After the opening loop of stages in the Ballyconnell area, it was Hurson/Conolly who held a 25 second lead after going fastest on each stage. They increased their advantage to 42 seconds after the second loop. Indeed they would go on to record a 53 second win after going fastest on all but one stage. Maguire & Sherry held a comfortable 2^nd place all day after holding off the challenge of former Tarmac Champions Jennings & Kennedy.

Mark Tierney guided Brian Armstrong to victory in the ‘Pinto Challenge’ and 12^th overall. Jack Maguire/Andy Hayes came home 14^th overall and 4^th in class 14. Barry Treanor & Gregory McQuillan were 15^th overall and took 1^st in class 11R by a comfortable winning margin. Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes took victory in class 3 and 39^th overall. Brendan McAree/Johno Doogan took their beautiful Porsche 911 home 54^th overall and 7^th in class 14. Paddy Connolly/Paul Maguire finished right behind in 55^th place and 3^rd in class 15. Declan Connolly/Alison Hughes finished 58^th overall and 8^th in class. Francie McKenna/Sean Craig came home 64^th overall and 3^rd in class 10. Martin Swinburne/Gretchen Fegan won the Junior class by an incredible four minute margin with Stefan McCann/Stephen McElroy taking 5^th in the same class.

Reigning Border Champions, David Moffett/Fintan Sherry retired on stage six after a rare off-road excursion. Michael Carbin/Emmet McCooey retired after an accident on the same stage. Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden retired on stage 1. Vincent McAree/Martin Connolly set some good times until a puncture costs them several minutes. They eventually retired on the final loop. Sean McCaul/Frank Clerkin were another crew who failed to finish the final loop of stages. Paddy O’Reilly/Ryan Brennan retired on the final stage. Cathal Sheridan/Loretta Kelly were sidelined with engine problems on stage 3. Padraig Connolly/Paudie Corrigan retired on stage 1.

Monaghan Motor Club would like to thank all marshals who turned out on the day which helped to ensure a safe and successful event for all.

Loughgall Rally

 

Congratulations to Jim McKenna & Thomas Treanor who took 2^nd overall on last Saturday’s Loughgall Rally.

Circuit of Munster

 

The National Rally Championship resumes with the Kilmallock-based Circuit of Munster Rally. Monaghan crews set to make the trip down include Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry, David Moffett/Fintan Sherry and Shane Maguire/Mac Kierans.

Upcoming events:

June 6^th National Night Navigation Championship prizegiving

June 7^th Laois Heartlands Rally

June 19^th-21^st Donegal International Rally

June 28^th Carrick-on-Suir Ravens Rock Rally

Stephen Wright scored an excellent 3rd overall finish on last Saturday’s mixed surface Sezoens Rally in Belgium. Local co-driver Eddy Smeets stepped in with local sponsorship enabling Stephen to return to Belgium after a successful season in the Peugeot 208 Super Cup the previous year. Despite competing against a host of Belgian rally aces, the Irish/Belgium pair held their own all day taking a fine 3rd overall. Multiple Belgian champion Freddy Loix won the event from Vincent Verschueren.

Moffetts Star on Plains Rally

Clontibret brothers, Josh & Sam Moffett made the trip to Wales to compete on the all-gravel Plains rally. This was the first occasion that both drivers had taken their Fiesta RRCs onto the loose. Josh who has been a front runner on the Irish Forestry Championship in recent years, set two fastest stage times en route to 2nd overall, six seconds behind winner Dave Weston. Sam Moffett survived a puncture on stage four to claim 6th overall on his first gravel rally in six months. Both Moffett brothers are intending to compete on the Acores Rally, which is a round of the European Rally Championship, in a fortnight.

McKenna & Grennan Set Sights on Portugal

Scotshouse men Daniel McKenna & Andrew Grennan are set to compete on this weekend’s Rally de Portugal. After a promising start at the opening round of the Junior World Rally Championship in Monte-Carlo, where they led early on, the pair will be hoping to secure some useful points on this event. Daniel & Andrew have been busy in the months since Monte-Carlo with the launch of the ‘Team Daniel’ campaign as well as undergoing extensive fitness training in preparation for this event.

The event is a full gravel rally based north of Porto after an absence of 14 years. Proceedings commence on Thursday with Daniel invited to speak at the FIA press conference. After a shakedown on Thursday afternoon, the action gets underway with a Superspecial stage. Friday consists of six stages with a further six stages on Saturday. The event concludes with a further three stages on Sunday. The lad’s progress over the weekend can be followed on twitter @dmkmotorsport.

Cavan Stages Rally

Round 3 of the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship takes place this weekend with the Hotel Kilmore Cavan Stages Rally. COC Stephen Kellett has laid out three new stages in West Cavan. Service will be based in Ballyconnell. Last year’s winner, Niall Maguire heads the entry list. Damien Connolly is set to team up with Peader Hurson again and slots in at No.3. David Moffett/Fintan Sherry should be in the fight for two wheel drive honours and start at No.8. James McCarville is sitting with Limerick’s Ed O’Callaghan at No.11. Shane Maguire is at 17, Michael Carbin/Emmet McCooey are at 29, Brian Armstrong/Mark Tierney are at 32, Jack Maguire/Andy Hayes 33 and Barry Treanor/Gregory McQuillan at 36.

Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden, Vincent McAree/Martin Connolly, Amy Cox/Emmet Sherry, Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes, Brendan McAree, Sean McCaul/Frank Clerkin, Paddy O’Reilly, Cathal Sheridan, Martin Swinburne/Gretchen Fegan, Declan Connolly/Alison Hughes, Martin McGuigan/Mark Slowey, Francie McKenna/Sean Craig, Padraig Connolly/Padraig Corrigan and Stefan McCann will also be flying the Monaghan flag this weekend.

Upcoming events:
May 31st Circuit of Munster Stages Rally
June 6th National Night Navigation Championship Prizegiving
June 7th Portlaoise Mini Stages Rally
June 19th-21st Donegal International Rally