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Evin Hughes and Pakie Duffy scored the overall victory on the Midland
Navigation Trial on Saturday night last. The pair had a nine-mark (penalty) win
over fellow Co. Monaghan Motor Club members Ciaran Maguire and Mickey
McNelis. Tydavnet man Ryan Treanor and his Granard based driver Shane
Dalton organised the latest round of the National Navigation Championship.

The pair organised an 85-mile event based out of Ballymore GAA Club outside
Granard, Co. Longford. Checkpoints, Timepoint 1 (Tp1), ViaA (VA), and Tp2
all took place between Coonfin and Anneville before the event moved north of
Granard for Tp3 in Aghnagarron Upper. After leaving Tp3 it was into the first
farm lane of the night for the location of VB in Cloghchurnel. Tp4 was located
at the N55. At the point the event crossed to the east side of the N55, where all
of Tp5, 6, 7 and 8 took place south of Kilcogy. The first supplementary route
instruction of the night was received at Tp8 for the route to and location of Tp9.
The supplementary route instruction was in the form of an intermediate
distanced, box tulip diagram. The tulip diagram took crews to Tp9 which was
located on a long since disused road or layby on the far side of the N55 at
Carnagh Upper. From here it was loop back around, travel half a mile before
taking another farm lane which was also in Carnagh Upper for to arrive at Tp10.
The first relaxed section of the night took place between Tp12 and Tp13 in
Cloonagh. The next supplementary route instruction was received here for the
route to and location of VC and Tp14. The route instruction was in the form of
ten images of a digital watch. Competitors were instructed to depart each yellow
(public) road in the direction of the second hand. Example 30 being South, 12
being North, 50 being North West ect ect. This section proved extremely
difficult as only five of the thirty starting crews arrived to both checkpoints.
Control B located beside Ballinrooey cross roads, marked the completion of the
first half of the event and the beginning of a just as tough second half. A
circular herringbone intermediate distance tulip diagram was received at Tp16
in Crannally for the route to and location of TP17. An extra trick here was that
the tulip diagram did not begin immediately, navigators had to plot where the
tulip began, get there first, before using the tulip to guide them to the location
on Tp17. Only sixteen crews arrived to the Tp after using a farm in Coolcor. Of
those sixteen, only three avoided a wrong approach penalty. Another trick was
on the cards after leaving Tp19. Via D was plotted in the middle of a farm in the
townland of Molly. To reach the Via, a long farm lane with lots of direction
changes had to be negotiated. The trick here was that the Via was purposely left
unmanned. Competitors may think on reaching the end of the lane that they took
a wrong turn in the farm causing them to miss the Via, so they may drive the

lane again and waste a lot of time. Car 3 and 4 were through the farm bumper
to bumper and on reaching the end of the lane, stopped and discussed with each
other what to do. They ultimately decided that there was no other possible way
through the farm, so proceeded to Tp20. The penultimate route instruction was
received at Tp22, just north of Ballinalee for to locate VE and the approach
direction of the pre-plotted Tp23. Once again, this route instruction was an
intermediate distance, box tulip diagram. The box tulip contained thirteen box’s
which were all mixed around and each containing a letter. Competitors were
back in primary school here reciting their A,B,C’s as they had to arrange the
box’s alphabetically. The thirteen boxes contained, in this order,
N,S,O,Q,R,P,T,U,X V,W, and Z. Once at the end of the tulip there was only one
possible way to Tp23 on the R194 at Cloonoose. The Speed Regulatory Section
took place between Tp24 and Tp25. The final supplementary route instruction
was received at Tp26, which was at the end of a long farm pass between
Firmount and Kilcourcey. This time competitors received a list of map gridlines
that had to passed through for to arrive at the location of Tp27. Although Tp27
was only two miles away, eleven gridlines had to be crossed, leaving a lot of
work for navigators to do. The final farm lane of the night took place in Cartron
after departing Tp29 for the approach to the penultimate Control in
Ballymacroly. From here it was just a short, relaxed trip over the road back to
the final Control at Ballymore GAA Club.

When results were declared final, it was announced that

Evin Hughes/Pakie Duffy were outright winners on a total of 15 marks. The 15 marks were acquired for lateness. 1m at Tp10, 7m at Tp14,6m at Tp17 and 1m at Tp27.

2 nd overall (OA) went to Ciaran Maguire/Mickey McNelis on 24 marks.

3 rd OA was the Sligo/Monaghan pair of Patrick Corcoran/Mickey Conlon.

In the classes, it was Brian Harkin/Jack Brunton whfinished 1 st in the Beginner class,

Jack McKenna/Sean McConnell finished 2 nd
and Joey Finneran/Gerry Kelly 3 rd .

Eoghán Farrell/Peter Farrell finished 1 st in the Novice class,

with Gretchen and Martin Swinburne finishing 2 nd and Adam Langan.

Damien Hagan finished 3 rd .

The Semi-Expert class went to Ciaran Maguire/Mickey McNelis.

2 nd in the class went to Ruaidhri Nash/Eoghan Corr
and 3 rd went to Stephen and Ray O’Neill.

Patrick Corcoran/Mickey Conlon were winners of the Expert class.

2 nd went to Greg Shinnors/Andrew Mackarel and

3 rdto David McCrudden/Martin Tynan.
After receiving their awards, both Evin and Pakie praised Shane and Ryan for
such an excellent and enjoyable event and thanked all the landowners for
allowing the event to use their property. Shane and Ryan also thanked the
residents along the route and the landowners as without their cooperation events
such as this would be unable to happen. They also thanked the plethora of

marshals who appeared on the night for to man all the checkpoints throughout
the event.
The Postponed Skibbereen and District Car Club, Carbery Navigation Trial has
been rescheduled for Saturday 14 th December. The Co. Monaghan Motor Club
CLG, 2025 club membership is now available on the website and Facebook
page.

Killarney Historic Rally

The Killarney Historic Stages Rally also took place on Saturday. The Star
attraction on the day was Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen two-time World
Rally Champions. The pair were driving a 2.5ltr Toyota Starlet belonging to
Jason Black. Unfortunately for the Flying Finn’s, their Starlet developed
electrical problems on the very first special stage (SS). The issue forced them to
stop but after a loss of five minutes, they did get going again and completed the
stage and the remainder of the event.
In the Modified Section, Johno Doogan/Paul Lennon finished 6 th OA. David
Moffett/Martin Connolly finished 8 th OA. Kaine Treanor navigated Chris
O’Callaghan to 10 th OA. Maurice Moffett took his car back off Richard and
finished his rally in 47th place. Pierce O’Callaghan guided Jonathan Pringle to
52 nd OA.
In the Historic Section, Cathan McCourt/Barry McNulty finished 4 th OA and
Damien Connolly guided Keith Lyons to 16 th OA
Conor Mohan navigating for Eamonn Kelly had been leading the rally until they
unfortunately went off the road on SS3. Killian McArdle navigating for Michael
Cahill retired after SS5.

The Sligo Pallets Forest Rally Championship prizegiving took place on Saturday night last in the Sligo Park Hotel.

Monaghan man Derek Mackarel along with his Co. Cork navigator Eamonn Creedon were presented with their Cup’s and trophies for being crowned this year’s Champions.

On the six-round championship, Derek and Eamonn finished 4th on the opening round in Killarney. Eamonn had to miss Round 2, the Willie Loughman Forest Rally due to family commitments. Derek had Darren Curren on the notes for that weekend and scored his first ever stage rally victory, finishing the six-stage event 20.6s faster than 2nd placed Jordan and Paul Hone who were in a similar Ford Fiesta R5. Eamonn was back in the passenger seat for Round 3, the Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally and once again Derek finished on the podium with a 3rd place finish, 22s off the win.

Podiums continued on the following round, the Trailer Parts & Spares Lakeland Stages Rally. There was actually a Monaghan Motor Club member on each step of the podium that day as Patrick and Stephen O’Brien finished 1st, Conor Mohan navigated Eamonn Kelly to 2nd and Mackarel/Creedon finished in 3rd. The McKelvey Asbestos Bushwhacker Rally was the penultimate round. A 7th place finish overall here was enough to secure the drivers title for Derek but as Eamonn had missed Round 2 he had not claimed the navigators title, so it would come down to the final round in Clare. The pair had an excellent event here and once again finished on the podium which secured the navigators title for Eamonn.Derek and Eamonn will be hoping to defend their title in the 2025 Sligo Forest Rally Championship, which begins in Co. Donegal in February. Domhnall Lennon finished 2nd navigator in class 2 and Tommy Moffett finished 3rd driver in the same class. Mickey Conlon and James McEneaney finished 1st in class 14. Down in Australia, Macartan Kierans navigated Richie Dalton to 5th overall in the Buckby Motors Rally Tasmania.

Derek Mackarel was also crowned the McGrady Insurance Motorsport UK Northern Ireland Forest Rally Challenge champion driver for 2024.

The Carbery Navigation Trial due to take place on Saturday last had to be postponed due to the heavy rainfall the previous night. Skibbereen and District Car Club are working with Motorsport Ireland and the Navigation Sub-Commission to try and fix a new date before years end.

The next Championship event will be Midland Motor Club’s Navigation Trial, this Saturday night the 30th. Tydavnet man Ryan Treanor and his Granard based driver, Shane Dalton have organised an 80-mile event based out of Ballymore GAA Club. First competing car begins at 21:01.

The Triton Showers National Rally Championship Awards Night took place over the weekend in the Sheraton Hotel in Athlone. Josh Moffett and his Co. Limerick navigator Keith Moriarty secured the overall championship title. Amazingly, this is Josh’s forth consecutive National Rally Championship title and his navigator Keith’s third consecutive title as Andy Hayes navigated Josh to his maiden national title in 2019. Second overall in this year’s championship went to Sam Moffett and James O’Reilly. Josh and Keith’s title defence got off to the worst possible start after retiring on the opening round in Mayo. Sam and James took victory on that event. Fortunes changed on round 2 for Josh and Keith. Round 2 was our own Ronnie Hawe Four Seasons Hotel Monaghan Stages Rally and Josh and Keith took victory over Sam and James here. This result was repeated on Round 3 in Birr, with Josh/Keith taking victory over Sam/James. Carlow was Round 4 and this event was a disaster for both Moffett brothers as retirement was the result. Sam/James retired completely but Josh/Keith managed to rejoin but finished 91^st. The Circuit of Munster (Limerick) was round 5, Sam/James didn’t compete on this event and Josh/Keith finished 5^th. On Rounds 6 and 7, Stonethrowers (Tipperary) and Galway Summer, Josh and Keith finished 1^st overall with Sam and James Finishing 2^nd on both occasions.

The final round was the Donegal Harvest Stages Rally and as it stood, Josh and Keith were 4 points behind joined leaders Daniel Cronin/Donnchadh Burke and Eddie Doherty/Tom Murphy. Sam and James were 4^th in the Championship. When dropped scores were taken into account, Josh and Keith would move to 1^st OA and Sam and James would move to 2^nd OA, just two points adrift of his younger brother. It was still all to play for, leaving service and heading to the final three stages of the 2024 Triton Showers National Rally Championship. Cronin/Burke retired on Stage 7 and Doherty/Murphy were down in 12^th OA, so It was looking increasingly likely that the championship title would be decided by the power stage times. However, it would not come down to the power stage times as Sam and James picked up a puncture on the penultimate stage, while just 3.5s down on Josh. The puncture dropped Sam and James over four minutes, meaning Josh and Keith just had to finish the last stage in their current position to secure the championship title once again.

Anthony Hand/David McCrudden finished 2^nd in class 11R and Martin McPhillips finished 3^rddriver. Michael Conlon/James McEnaney finished 2^nd in class 12. Pierce O’Callaghan finished 2^nd navigator in class 14. Brian Cumiskey finished 1^st driver in class 15. Cathal Sheridan/Coel Leonard finished 1^st in class 10.

Michael Carbin, completed his first year in his Ford Escort with the overall MkII Challenge title and 10^th OA. Darragh Kelly navigating for Paul Barrett finished 10^th OA.

The Motorsport Ireland National Navigation Trial Championship continues this weekend with Skibbereen and District Motor Club’s Carbery Navigation Trial. Iarla and Eoghan McCarthy have organised an 85-mile event based out of Kilmurry GAA Club. The first car begins Saturday night at 21:01.

Oisín Sherlock

Conor Mohan made it two wins in a row in the Drumlin Navigation Trial last Saturday night.

Having won last seasons event with Gary Cassidy driving, he was back with regular Navigation Trial driver Michael Carbin this time

Derek Mackarel and Conor Boylan laid out a demanding 120-mile event based out of the Acorn Centre in Newbliss. This event took in byroads and farm lanes between Newbliss, Redhills, Scotshouse, Stone Bridge, Smithborough, Corcaghan, Latnamard and Rockcorry. The event began at 21:01 and headed in the direction of Anlore. Timepoint 1 (Tp1) was located on the Clones Road at Drumacoon. From here it was up to Killevan cross and turn left for the route to Tp2. Tp2 was located in a farm at Killygone that had to be approached from a steep descending farm lane which included a manned stop sign. Once down the lane it was a right turn for to get to the location of the Tp. From here it was back to Killeevan cross, back up the same road as before, only this time keeping left and arriving at Tp3. At Tp3 the first plot and bash was received for the location of Tp’s 4, 5 6A. This supplementary route instruction was in the form of a full route card, only with the check point locations out of order. Navigators had to plot the location of both Tp’s immediately as the shortest distance to Tp4 included Tp5, so any navigator failing to plot both Tp’s would unintentionally arrive at Tp5 first and either have to skip Tp4 or run the risk of receiving a double visit penalty if they arrived back after Tp4. The correct way was to turn right at the next junction and turn back into the farm lane in Killygone. This time at the stop sign it was turn left out to the road as turning right would lead to a double visit at Tp2. Once at the road, it was turn left and continue over the road before turning left into another farm lane in Ellinure. At the end of this lane was Tp4. It was turn left here and back to the crossroads before turning left for to get Tp5. After Tp5 it was a relatively long trip to Tp6 at Ture Chapel. Unbeknown to many competitors Tp6A was located on the quickest route to Tp6. Anyone not plotting Tp6A, which was received at Tp3 would accidently arrive at Tp6A enroute to Tp6. Amazingly only 4 crews out of the 44 starters didn’t get a wrong approach or completely miss one or both check points. Car 1 on the road and winners of round 1 in Cork, Ryan Treanor/Shane Dalton were the first of many crews to acquire heavy penalties here. At Tp6, they didn’t notice that the Approach and Departure were the same direction, so they didn’t turn around on the road and as such received 15 marks for a wrong departure. Evin Hughes/Pakie Duffy were the only crew to have not picked up any penalties so far. Mohan/Carbin were on 17 marks for being two minutes late to Tp6A and like Treanor/Dalton, receiving a wrong departure at TP6. From here the event crossed the Clones/Scotshouse road for Tp7 at the end of a farm lane opposite the Hilton Demesne. A short trip over the road brought crews to Tp8 via yet another muddy farm lane in Annahare. Next up was the first relaxed section of the night where competitors could make back some of their acquired lateness. The relief at taking back time was short lived however, as the route to Tp10 was via one of the most twisty roads in the country, in Drumavan, a farm lane in Skerrick West before another twisty road in Aghnaskew before reaching the Tp on the Cavan Road at Callowhill. If competitors didn’t take the farm lane in Skerrick West they would meet Tp12 which was at the very end of the road. The event then briefly crossed the Monaghan/Cavan Border as the route to Tp11 was via another long twisty road in Co. Cavan before arriving at the Tp at Agnew Timber back in Co. Monaghan. From here it was back through the twisty road at Drumavan for Tp12 and back throu gh the twisty road at Aghaskew and then through an even worse road in Tullyalt for to reach TP13 in Drumgaze. The first quarter of the event was then complete at Control B located in Corrinary. At this point in the event, Hughes/Duffy, were the leaders, having just picked up two minutes lateness. For being a minute late to each of Tp7 and 8. The third plot and bash section began at Tp15. Here crews picked up the location of Tp16 which was at a farm in Lurganboy. The departure was up the farm lane before heading down another farm lane just over the road for Tp17. Hughes/Duffy’s lead came to an end here, as they would receive a wrong approach penalty and arrive a minute late. From here it was time to head for the turbines. Tp18 was approached via turbine lanes In Lislongfield before crossing the public road into another turbine lane in Killyleg. At the end of this lane, it was a right turn to arrive at Tp19. The departure of the Tp was turning right, back into the turbine lane and this time turning left and arriving at Tp20 at the end of another farm lane in Corkish. Tp21 was at a farm in Corlougharoe where farm lanes had to be used for the approach and departure of the Tp. The next three Tp’s all used farm lanes. The standout Tp here was at Tp23 in Noel Hall’s farm in Doohat. Some competitors felt the wooden posts and wire for keeping the cattle in was causing offence so they took it upon themselves to take some fence posts down. The trick at this Tp was on the approach, as the farm lane had two exits. Competitors were given a tulip diagram back at the Acorn with the changes of directions on the approach lane, anyone not following the tulip diagram was met with a wrong approach for not taking the less obvious track. The departure of the Tp was turning immediately hairpin left into a farm shed of Hall’s. The first Speed Regularity Section (SRS) took pace soon after this, where competitors have to follow a strict 30mph average speed for to arrive at a secrete check point. One mark is acquired for every 9s too fast of slow. This section brought crews to Aghadrumkeen and Tp25. The next two Tp’s took place in Aghnacue and Rossnaglogh East, before a brace of check points in Drumsaul. Rockcorry filling station was the half way point in the event, and a chance for competitors to get refreshments and fuel their cars. At the halfway point Mohan/Carbin now had a commanding lead as Hughes/Duffy received 16 marks for a wrong approach and being one minute to Tp16.A second SRS began the second half of the event, taking crews from Rockcorry to Stranoodan. Tp28 ended the first half and Tp101 began the second. This will avoid confusion as you read on. Tp’s 103, 104 and 105 all involved using farm lanes, in Greagh, McElvaney’s in Corcaghan and McGuinness’s, back in the townland of Greagh. After Tp105 it was over to Aghabog football field for the first relaxed section of the second half. A relaxed section so soon after the midpoint stop shows you how demanding these opening three farm lanes were. More farm lanes were up next for Tp107 in Liscumasky and to avoid a double visit penalty mark at Tp102 at the Stranoodan five points. Norris’s farm in Latnamard was the location Tp108 where numerous farm machinery disguised the route to the Tp. After this it was to the Threemilehouse/Newbliss road to arrive at Tp109 via the use of a farm lane in Lecklevera. Control D at Greenans Cross signalled the end of the third quarter. Here Mohan/Carbin were still well out in front.More plot and Bash was on the cards here as competitors were given a multiple page box tulip diagrams that were mixed around. Navigators had to keep turning over the pages to find the closest change of direction, something that’s incredibly difficult to do when the car is constantly moving and thus increasing the distance on the tripmeter. The box tulip brought crews towards Three Mile House and to turn left into a very long private road in Killina. At a farm yard three quarter way in the lane, competitors had to keep straight on, on a less inviting path and onto a muddy farm lane that brought them to another public road for to turn left and travel to Tp110 in anther farm lane in Cornawall. The box tulip continued on towards Tp11, it was back up to Greenans Cross, left toward Three Mile House, and back in the private road at Killina. This time competitors had to turn left into the farm and low and behold, Tp111 was waiting on the front street, meaning that any competitor taking the wrong turn on the first pass would have arrived at Tp111 before Tp110. From here it was back onto the muddy lane to the public road, this time turning right and reaching Tp112 in Cornafaghy. The final relaxed section (Tp113& Tp113A) was located in Listellan which had to be approached using a farm lane between Cloghernagh to Killykespin. Next up was Scott’s farm in Boughill. Like at previous locations, a tulip diagram had been received back in the Acorn of the way to the Tp. A lot of Navigators obviously left this crucial bit of information at their table in the Acorn, as no less than twenty crews, got a wrong approach, them twenty crews, does not include crews that never arrived to the Tp at all. From Scott’s it was over to Mackarel’s farm in Gransha More for Via4 and the final plot and bash section of the night. At V4 competitors received a Box Tulip diagram for the route to and location of Tp116 and Tp117. At V4, it was a turn an acute hairpin left and go back into the farm, use a farm lane before joining a private road and reaching TP116 at the railway bridge. From here part of the disused railway was used before joining a lane never before used for Navigations, In fact, Derek says, the last thing to use it was probably his grandfather on a horse and cart. There were just two farm lanes left in the night, one for the approach to Tp118 in Radeery and one for the penultimate Control in Dale’s farm in Corramegan. Once at the Control in Corramegan, it was just a trip back on the main road to the final Control in the Acorn Centre, in Newbliss village. In the Centre after the event all competitors praised the organisers for how good the event was the sheer effort went to, in making the event really accurate and enjoyable. Before the awards were presented both Derek and Conor spoke at length, thanking all residents along the route, all the marshals for turning up and helping out, the people who, provided food after the event and in particular all the land owners for giving permission for to use their property. The overall victory on the night went to Conor Mohan/Michael Carbin taking an 8 mark victory over 2nd placed Greg Shinnors/Andrew Mackarel, 3rd overall went to Evin Hughes/Pakie Duffy after they received another wrong approach to Tp114 . The Semi-Expert class was won by Ruaidhri Nash/Eoghan Corr. 2nd was Anthony McDonald/Sean McConnell and 3rd place went to Michael Sheridan/Cathal McGlone. Gretchen and Martin Swinburne finished 1st in the Novice class, 2nd was Donegal Navigation Trial winners, Adam Langan/Patrick O’Donnell and 3rd went to Ben Mohan/Damien Hagan. The Beginner class was won by Darren Lavery/Aaron McGorman, 2nd was Jack McKenna/Damien Treanor and 3rd was John McCay/James Boland. The National Navigation Trial Championship continues with the Skibbereen and District Car Club, Carbery Navigation Trial on November 23rd.By Oisín SherlockTop 10 Overall1st Conor Mohan/Michael Carbin (Subaru) 28 marks2nd Greg Shinnors/Andrew Mackarel (Subaru Impreza) 36m,3rd Evin Hughes/Pakie Duffy (Subaru Impreza) 55m,4th Aaron McElroy/Declan Tynan (Subaru Impreza) 74m,5th David McCrudden/Martin Tynan (Subaru Impreza) 83m,6th Oisín Sherlock/Darragh Kelly (Subaru Impreza) 88m,7th Aidan Freil/Charlie McMonagle (Subaru Impreza) 103m,8th Ruaidhri Nash/Eoghan Corr (Subaru Impreza) 105m,9th Darren Lavery/Aaron McGorman (Subaru Impreza) 105m,10th Ryan Treanor/Shane Dalton (Subaru Impreza) 121m,

Richard Moffett and Darragh Kelly claimed the overall (OA) victory on last Sundays The Rose Hotel Kerry Winter Stages Rally based in Tralee.

The pair in their Toyota Starlet took a 34.9s win over fellow club members Johno Doogan and Paul Lennon.

This event was Richard’s fourth outright event win and Darragh’s third but it was their first victory together as a team. Richard`s previous outright wins were in the 2022 Banna Kerry Mini Stages Rally, the GSMC Mini Stages Rally 2014 and the Topaz Donegal Junior Rally in 2009. Darragh’s previous wins were in the Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally 2017 and the System Signs Clubmans Rally 2010. Michael Carbin/Dean O’Sullivan 4^th OA. The 4th place finish secured Michael and Dean the overall 2WD win in the Top Part West Coast Rally Championship. Paul Kelly guided Paul Purtill to 7^th OA and 1^st in class 13. Killian McArdle navigated Michael Cahill to 10^th OA. James Cassidy/Domhnall Lennon finished 26^th OA and 2^nd in class 12. Pierce O’Callaghan navigating for Jonathan Pringle retired after Special Stage 3.

The Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship awards night took place over the weekend in the Sligo Park Hotel. Cathal Sheridan and Cole Leonard finished in 3^rd place overall and 1^st in class 10 in the four event Championship. Tommy Moffett finished 4^th driver in class 2 and Domhnall Lennon finished 3^rd navigator. Sam Moffett and James O’Reilly finished 1^st in class 5.

Anthony Hand and David McCrudden finished 2^nd in class 11R and Martin McPhillips finished 3^rd driver in the class. Mickey Conlon and James McEneaney were winners of class 12.

Our Drumlin Navigation Trial takes place this Saturday night the 9^th November. Conor Boylan and Derek Mackarel have organised a 120-mile event based out of the Acorn Centre in Newbliss. The event will be Round 2 of the National Navigation Trial Championship as well as the opening round of both the Monaghan Motor Club Championship and The Squealing Pig Monaghan Border Navigation Trial Championship.