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 Donegal Motor Club hosted the fifth round of the Squealing Pig Border Navigation Championship on Saturday night last 19th February for the first time in a long number of years and it would be fair to say that they didn’t disappoint. Experienced navigator and indeed stages driver Conor Harvey and his team took up the challenge and laid on an excellent 110 mile route taking in every forest lane and mountain track that South Donegal had to offer. The local men would always be hard to beat on home turf and indeed it was Charlie McMonigle and Aidan Friel who led the pack home on 3 penalties with previous round winners Chris Kelly and Sam Johnston 2nd o/a on 6 pens while experts Andy Mackarel and Liam Higgins were 3rd on 12pens. Drumkeen parish hall outside Letterkenny was HQ for the event and a start list of 30 headed off into the Donegal hills at 9:01pm. The first half of the event was fairly straight forward looking on the map but most time points took crews over mountain passes that the sheep don’t even use anymore so times were tight! All but 3 crews dropped time through the first 14 tps and with a welcome petrol halt in Glenties it was beginners Michael Reilly and Colm Duffy who led from semi-experts Chris Kelly and Sam Johnston with experts Michael and Ciaran Tynan all on clean sheets. The second half would be a much tighter affair with Reilly and Duffy effectively ending their hopes of a good run through tps 17 and 18 where they dropped a total of 8 pens. Quietly hammering away in the background were eventual winners McMonigle and Friel who were only down one penalty in the first half and growing with confidence on home soil. In the beginners class father and son team Arthur and Macartan Kierans were having a good run well ahead of the rest. Unfortunately a double visit penalty at 14 would see a possible 2nd o/a slip out of their hands. Kelly and Johnston would drop 4 penalties through tps 18 to 26 and the Tynans dropped 2 to leave Charlie McMonigle and Aidan Friel in the lead still only down 1 penalty and even with 2 more dropped at the last time point they still had done enough to claim the win from Kelly and Johnston with Andy and Liam coming home 3rd and 1st in the expert class. The Tynans took 2nd in expert class but it could have been a whole lot better had they not spent too much time sorting out the final plot and bash which was later scrubbed but were still forced to miss the final time point as they went OTL. In the semi-expert section Michael Carbin and Evin Hughes’ run of bad luck continued as they slid off the road on a gravel junction and in doing so dropped 10 pens to tp 12. Monaghan men Sean McKenna and Gary Farrelly made their trip north worth while with a fine 2nd in the novice section behind local men Gary Lockart and Adrian McElhinney while the Kierans’ did enough through the latter stages to take 2nd in the beginners class. So that’s it from Donegal for this year, a well run event which seemed to go down well with competitors, tough but good navigation terrain. Monaghan is next up on 5th March for the penultimate round of both the Squealing Pig Border and the National championships with almost every class position still up for grabs through the final two rounds ending with Cavan on 19th March. Donegal Motor Club Navigation Trial Results 1 Charlie McMonagle/Aidan Friel (Subaru Impreza) 3 marks 2 Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston (Subaru Impreza) 6m 3 Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins (Subaru Impreza) 12m 4 Michael Reilly/Colin Duffy (Proton) 16m 5 Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes (Subaru Legacy) 16m 6 Michael Tynan/Ciaran Tynan (Subaru Impreza) 22m 7 Gary Lockhart/Adrian McElhinney 27m 8 James Sheridan/Sidney McDaid 34m 9 Arthur Kierans/Macartan Kierans (Subaru Impreza) 36m 10 James Logue/Hugh Kelly (Subaru Impreza) 50 Semi-experts: 1 Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston 2 Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes 3 James Logue/Hugh Kelly Novices: 1 Gary Lockhart/Adrian McElhinney 2 Sean McKenna/Gary Farrelly 52m 3 Damien McElhinney/Charlie McGinty 55m Beginners: 1 Michael Reilly/Colin Duffy 2 Arthur Kierans/Macartan Kierans 3 Fintan Sherry/Darragh Kelly 448m Sympathy

 The committee and members of Monaghan Motor Club would like to convey their sincere sympathy to the partner, family and friends of popular club member Brian Ruth following his untimely death last week. Brian was a keen competitor on the night navigation scene and also navigated for long-term friend Gerry McGivney in their trusty Mark II Escort on stages events. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him for his sheer enthusiasm and no matter what their result would be on an event, Brian was sure to have a story or two to share! Brian’s funeral took place last Sunday at 1 o’clock in Bawn, where the club held a Guard of Honour. May he rest in peace.

Autotest As a mark of respect for the late Brian Ruth, Monaghan Motor Club’s annual autotest which was due to take place last Sunday in Wrights Quarry, Swann’s Cross was postponed and will be re-scheduled for a date to be confirmed in the coming weeks. Watch this space for further details.

 It was with deep shock and sadness that the members of Monaghan Motor Club learned today of the sudden death of popular club member Brian Ruth. The club has announced the postponement of its annual Hewison Autotest, which was due to take place on Sunday next 20th February, as a mark of respect. Brian’s funeral will take place at 1pm on Sunday next at Bawn Chapel off the Ballybay/Shercock road. The club will be organising a Guard of Honour. May he rest in peace.

After a terrific first season behind the wheel of a 4 wheel drive car, 21 year old Monaghan man Shane Maguire driving a Subaru N11, clinched his 1st ever outright championship title on the final round of the 2010 Top Part West Coast Rally Championship, the Banna Beach Resort Kerry Mini Stages Rally. Co driven by Enda Sherry and finishing 4th overall in Kerry, the Monaghan duo took 2nd place overall points to secure the title from 2009 champion Niall Maguire. The 2010 overall result in this series is a piece of Irish rallying history as Shane denied his father Niall back to back titles. His Co driver Enda Sherry who co drove for both Niall and Shane in 2010 now joins Limerick co driver Anthony Nester with 3 championship titles a piece. Enda won his 1st title in 2006 and now has back to back titles, having won in 2009.

Locals Kelly and Johnston Win in Midlands

The Shannon Key West Hotel in Rooskey, Co. Roscommon provided the ideal location for Saturday night’s Midland Motor Club navigation trial with first-time CoC Michael Reilly providing a testing 110 mile route using every bog lane and road that Roscommon and Longford had to offer. With regular winners Arthur Kierans and Ashley Mc Adoo opting to sit out this event, confidence was high among the top 10 for an outright win. However it was a midlands one two on the night as semi-experts Chris Kelly and Sam Johnston (18pens) put their local knowledge to good use and romped home as clear winners ahead of another local crew, beginners Packie and Colin Duffy (29 pens) with Andy Mackarel and Liam Higgins a further penalty behind in 3rd. Problems arose as early as time points 2 and 3 as the first plot and bash sections of the night proved difficult to understand and then negotiate with the majority of starters either taking a wrong departure or missing tp3 altogether. Event winners Kelly and Johnston were the only crew to clean this section and indeed held a clean sheet up to tp13. The final five time points of the first half were through the notorious bogs of Longford where it was a struggle to make the times. Once again it was the local men who excelled through these time points as Packie and Colin Duffy only dropped 2 while semi experts Darren Babbington and Francis Keenan were justifying there 3rd place seeding with an excellent run dropping 3 pens through the bogs along with Michael and Ciaran Tynan. Car 1 Michael Carbin and Evin Hughes were in trouble in the bog and required a pull out resulting in a massive 8pens which meant they were playing catch up all night. By the petrol halt the top 3 were as per overall results with Donegal man Karl Reid driving Ciaran Geaney to a novice class lead with locals Gerry and Nicola Kelly best of the rest in the beginners class. On leaving the petrol halt, this event was far from decided as the first five time points of the second half were the only ones not to involve a bog pass or grassy lane and with the final four time points of the night plot and bash, all was to play for. However, there were to be no slips ups at the top where Chris and Sam held their nerve to take an excellent win ahead of Packie and Colin but it was a case of “could have been” for this crew as a wrong departure from tp2 probably cost them the trial win. Andy and Liam duly took 3rd overall and first expert, a good points haul for the Border c’ship in the absence of Arthur and Ashley. Babbington and Keenan had a consistent night in the bogs to take the semi-expert class and 4th overall, boosting their points total for the Border series in the process. The novice class was a close affair but it was Martin Mc Guigan and Brendan Treanor who came out on top in their shiny new Cavalier (bet its not as new looking now!). With the Duffys 2nd overall and 1st in beginners, Gerry and Nicola Kelly claimed 2nd albeit level with Darren Quinn and Nigel Mc Cloughery but getting 2nd on furthest cleanest. So that’s it from the Midland club for this season and well done to Michael, Barry, Enda and all their team for a good effort on his first event as CoC. Its off to Donegal this Saturday night for the 5th round of the Squealing Pig Border navigation championship where all is to play for in the overall and class awards. Midlands Motor Club Navigation Trial Results 1 Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston (Subaru Impreza) 18 marks, 2 Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy (Subaru Impreza) 29m, 3 Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins (Subaru Impreza) 30m, 4 Darren Babington/Francis Keenan (Subaru Impreza) 45m, 5 Mickey Tynan/Ciaran Tynan (Subaru Impreza) 53m, 6 Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes (Subaru Legacy) 57m, 7 Gerry Kelly/Nicola Kelly (Subaru Impreza) 134m, 8 Darren Quinn/Nigel McCloughry (Toyota Sprinter) 134m, 9 Martin McGuigan/Brendan Treanor (Vauxhall Cavalier) 204m, 10 Karl Reid/Ciaran Geaney (Subaru Impreza) 210m, 11 Kevin Keenan/Barry Garvey (Subaru Impreza) 227m, 12 Rory Coyle/Ciaran Coyle (Subaru Legacy) 253m. Semi-experts: 1 Darren Babington/Francis Keenan, 2 Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes, 3 James Logue/Hugh Kelly (Subaru Impreza) 413m. Novices: 1 Martin McGuigan/Brendan Treanor, 2 Karl Reid/Ciaran Geaney, 3 Kevin Keenan/Barry Garvey. Beginners: 1 Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy, 2 Gerry Kelly/Nicola Kelly, 3 Darren Quinn/Nigel McCloughry Autotest Sunday next, 20th February is the date for Monaghan Motor Club’s annual autotest which takes place in Wrights Quarry, Swanns Cross on the Monaghan-Cootehill road. This is a counting round of the Hewison National autotest championship and also the 2nd round of the club championship with the popular club member’s category sure to provide plenty of entertainment. This event is kindly sponsored by the Northern Standard and as always help is required on the day. Competitor sign on is from 11 o’clock with the tests starting from 11.30am. See you all there.

 Annual Stages Rally

The 17th of April is fast approaching for the annual Monaghan Stages Rally. The organising team are busy making preparations for this top event which is a counting round of the Dunlop National Tarmac Championship, the Border Rally Championship and of course the 4th round of the Monaghan club championship. Regulations for the event will be available in the coming weeks from the Club’s website at the following address: http://www.monaghanmotorclub.net

 Saturday night last saw four Monaghan crews make the long journey South for round six of the National Navigation championship with a trip to Skibbereen, Co. Cork bringing mixed fortunes for the travelling Monaghan men. Arthur Kierans and Ashley Mc Adoo once again stamped their authority on the National Championship with a comfortable overall win, 13 penalties ahead of Cork men Alan and George Shinnors on 32 pens with Richard Cassidy piloting Dubliner Paul Phelan in there trusty vectra a distant third on 118pens. Michael Carbin and Evin Hughes started the event as Arthur and Ashley’s main rivals for the National title but all was to be in vain as early as time point 5 where they got stuck in a muddy lane and were forced to retire at the next control, running OTL. Monaghan beginner Macartan Kierans once again showed his enthusiasm for the sport as he also made the journey South, this time piloted by local Cork man Johnny Casey but they too ran into early difficulties and were forced to retire early on. This win for Arthur and Ashley means they have one hand firmly on the National Championship for the fourth consecutive year as Saturday night next sees Midland Motor club run the reserve round of the National Championship from Rooskey, Co. Roscommon which is also the 4^th round of the Squealing Pig Border Navigation Championship, closely followed by Donegal Motor Clubs first event of the border championship for many years the following weekend, with entry forms available on line.

Galway International Rally

Two Monaghan crews braved the elements to participate in the first round of the Irish international rally championship at the weekend as 9^th seeds Sam Moffett and James O’Reilly headed the Monaghan challenge in there Evo 9 ahead of Stephen Wright and Paul McGee seeded at 24 in their newly acquired Evo 6. First blood of the national rally championship went to Meath’s Tim Mc Nulty with Paul Kiely from Sligo on the notes followed by the triton showers backed Subaru WRC of Kevin Barrett and Sean Mullally with Cork man Alan Ring and Adrian Deasy 3^rd in their Group N Evo 9.

            It was a  case of mixed fortunes for the travelling Monaghan crews as Sam Moffett and James O’Reilly put in a fine display to take 5^th overall and 1^st in group N category while Stephen Wright and Paul McGee were not so fortunate and battled with a temperamental gearbox throughout the Saturday stages which eventually forced them to retire.

Five Monaghan Motor Club crews made the journey south to Cork for the 1000 Shakes navigation trial on Saturday night last 22nd January. Arthur Kierans and Ashley McAdoo were bidding to extend their lead in the National Championship, with close rivals Michael Carbin and Evin Hughes hoping to bridge the gap somewhat. Richard Cassidy headed south to drive for Dubliner and veteran navigator Paul Phelan in his trusty Vectra while Darren Babbington and Francis Keenan felt the journey was necessary in their bid for semi-expert class honours. Macartan Kierans is showing great promise as a beginner navigator this season and called on the services of local Cork driver Jimmy Deane to pilot him through the twisty West Cork countryside. Indeed it was Arthur and Ashley who led from start to finish to maintain their lead in the National Navigation championship. They finished ahead of a duo of Cork crews with brothers Joe and Greg Shinnors pipping rivals Alan and George Shinnors for 2nd overall. The first half of the event was all pre-plotted with a mixture of gravel lanes, farm lanes and grassy tracks combined with the infamous twisty narrow roads of the West Cork countryside. Time point 10 was the first to feature time penalties as a litany of grassy lanes eventually forced most expert crews to incur at least 1 penalty. Tp11 would prove fatal for Michael and Evin’s hopes as an uncustomary timing error resulted in a massive 50 pens and ultimately cost them the event win. Tp15 was next to cause trouble where a mile long grassy lane combined with a marshal’s time clock being almost 2 minutes off caused most expert crews to accrue a further penalty. The bulk of the penalties were accrued at the first SRS section. This was timed at 32kph but the organisers seemed to have applied penalties based on 30mph. However, the same applied for everyone with Arthur and Ashley getting 20pens through this section as they headed for the petrol halt, down a total of 22pens. The second half started off with four plot and bash sections, which weren’t cleaned by anyone. The event leaders dropped 1 pen at tp104 and another at tp107, this was to be their last penalties of the night. They did have a scare however as they, along with over 10 other crews were adjudged to have failed to stop at a yield sign at TP116. However these and all other stop sign penalties were later scrapped on a technicality. Richard Cassidy and Paul Phelan had a consistent run to finish a creditable 5th o/a and 3rd expert, a missed time point their biggest slip-up of the night. Darren Babbington and Francis Keenan made their trip worthwhile as they finished 7th o/a and 2nd in the semi-expert class behind local Cork men Johnny Kenneally and Ken Carmody. Wrong approaches accounted for the majority of their 62 pens. Michael and Evin eventually finished 10th o/a on 71pens but this could have been a whole different story had they not got the 50 at tp11. Derek Butler and Olivia McCarthy won the novice class while travelling midlands men Packie and Colin Duffy took the beginner class honours and in doing so maintained there lead in the National series. Macartan Kierans plugged away all night to finish 4th in class and gained valuable experience. Next up is the Midland Motor Club event on 12th/13th February based at Shannon Key West Hotel, Rooskey, Co. Roscommon. This is a reserve event for the National Championship and round 4 of the Squealing Pig Border Championship Donegal Motor Club follow this on 19th/20th February with their first event for some years in the Border Championship.

Cork 1000 Shakes Navigation Trial Results 1 Arthur Kierans/Ashley McAdoo (Subaru Impreza) 24 marks

2 Joseph Shinnors/Greg Shinnors (Subaru Impreza) 27m

3 Alan Shinnors/George Shinnors (Subaru Impreza) 36m

4 Johnny Kenneally/Ken Carmody (Vauxhall Vectra) 47m

5 Richard Cassidy/Paul Phelan (Vauxhall Vectra) 49m

 6 Ray O’Neill/Stephen O’Neill (Ford Mondeo) 50m

 7 Darren Babington/Francis Keenan (Subaru Impreza) 62m

8 Brian O’Mahony/Declan Swanton (Opel Corsa) 70m

 9 Derek Butler/Olivia McCarthy (Nissan Sunny) 71m

10 Michael Carbin/Evin Hughes (Subaru Legacy) 71m

11 Ger O’Connell/Denis O’Donovan (Subaru Impreza) 74m

 12 Chris Kelly/Sam Johnston (Subaru Impreza) 85m

 Semi-experts: 1 Johnny Kenneally/Ken Carmody 2 Darren Babington/Francis Keenan

3 Brian O’Mahony/Declan Swanton.

 Novices: 1 Derek Butler/Olivia McCarthy 2 Brian McCarthy/Stephen Quinn 86m 3 Alwyn White/Adrian Tobin 185m

 Beginners: 1 Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy (Subaru Impreza) 92m 2 David Beamish/Muireann Hayes 126m 3 Darren Quinn/Nigel McCloughry 191m

Upcoming Events Keep free Sunday 20th February for the annual Monaghan Motor Club Autotest, which will once again be based at Wright’s quarry, Swann’s Cross. As always there will be a club members category so now is the time to acquire a suitable car or pull last year’s one out for this entertaining form of motor sport. Fivemiletown Forest Rally runs on Saturday 26th February, which usually sees a few club members on the entry list for this compact and local event.

 PRO Details Following the Annual General Meeting, Ciaran Tynan has been elected as club PRO for the forthcoming year. This is a position that requires a lot of feedback from competitors doing events in order for weekly reports to be compiled and competitors to get a mention in the papers etc. We ask that if you are competing somewhere, send a quick e-mail with results or any stories regarding club members on events throughout the year. These can then be added to weekly reports; otherwise you can’t be guaranteed a mention. Ciaran’s e-mail address is tynaneng@gmail.com