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Michael Carbin & Conor Mohan came close to overall victory on last weekend’s Fivemiletown Forestry Rally. After eight fast and flowing forest stages, the Smithborough/Ballinode team were just eight seconds shy of the similar Lancer of Niall McCullagh/Ryan McCloskey.

 

The pair had been in a steady 5^th place at the halfway mark but there were major changes at the head of the leaderboard in the latter half of the event but such was the pace they were only 14 seconds behind the rally leaders. By stage six, they had climbed to 2^nd place. Going into the final stage they trailed event leaders Cathan McCourt/Barry McNulty by 37 seconds. However McCourt/McNulty retired on the test. Carbin/Mohan missed out on the win as Niall McCullagh/Ryan McCloskey stormed through the test turning a 3 second deficit into an 8 second win.

 

Andrew Grennan was navigating for Vivian Hamill in an Escort but they failed to make the finish.

 

Monaghan Men Make Mark on Cambrian Rally

 

A number of club members contested the opening round of the 2019 British Rally Championship, the Cambrian Rally based in North Wales. After 10 demanding forestry stages, Josh Moffett/Keith Moriarty led the Monaghan crews home in 5^th place overall. Brendan Cumisky/Ronan O’Kane brought their Skoda Fabia home in 9^th overall. Arthur Kierans joined forces with Billy Coleman Award Winner, James Wilson. They finished an impressive 12^th overall and took victory in the very competitive Junior category by just 2 seconds! Paul Sheridan guided Enda McCormack to 17^th overall.

 

ALMC Endurance Trial

 

The opening round of the 2019 Irish Endurance Championship got underway with last weekend’s ALMC Endurance Trial based in Luttrlestown, Co. Dublin. A number of Monaghan crews tackled the event which attracted a full entry of 70 crews. After 18 selectives which included a number of night selectives, top stages competitor Robert Barrable & his navigator Ciaran Larkin took the win by 52 seconds from his brother Peter & navigator Gary McElhinney. The Dublin/Monaghan partnership of Karl O’Donoghue and Evin Hughes secured 3^rd overall after make good progress on the night selectives.

 

Emmet Sherry/Ciaran Geaney finished 10^th overall and finished 2^nd in the Semi-Expert class. Ryan Treanor/Paul Murphy finished 4^th in the same class. Craig McPhillips/Oisin Sherlock brought their Toyota Glanza to 5^th in class B. Colm McKeever/Shane Marron took 4^th in the Beginners class with Robert Graham/Shane Murphy taking 2^nd in the Novice class. Aaron McElroy guided circuit racer Nicole Drought to victory in class A1 in her Micra. Noel & Aiden Sherry took 3^rd in class C for up to 2.0 litre Navigation cars. Cathal & Eimear McGlone brought their Suzuki Ignis to 12^th in class B with Damien Treanor/Gordon Burke taking 16^th in the same class.

Defending Tarmac Champion, Josh Moffett, netted a podium finish on last weekend’s Galway International Rally, the opening round of the 2019 Irish Tarmac Championship. The pair held a steady pace throughout the one day event, initially holding 4th place but moved to 3rd following the retirement of Gary Jennings. Overall honours went to WRC star, Craig Breen in a Ford Fiesta with Alastair Fisher taking 2nd place.

Stephen Wright/Arthur Kierans returned to the stages and finished in a steady 9th place in their Fiesta R5. Conor Mohan guided Eamonn Kelly to 20th overall and 2nd in class. Brendan Cumisky/Ronan O’Kane took Class 24 honours for Right Hand Drive R5 Cars from Aaron McHale/Enda Sherry.

Gerard McQuaid/Jack McKenna finished 12th overall and 2nd in class in the National Rally. Thomas Treanor guided Fergal Kelly to 28th overall and 6th in class. David Condell/Paul Kelly re-entered the event under Rally 2 rules and took 38th overall and 5th in class. Sam Moffett/James Fulton retired early after being caught out in the extremely slippy conditions. The Championship continues with the West Cork Rally on St. Patrick’s Weekend.

Defending National Night Navigation Champions, Derek Mackarel & Muireann Hayes, remain on course for the successful defence of their title after back to back 2^nd places finishes on the Skibbereen 100 Isles & Cork 1000 Shakes Navigation Trials. These events occurred in successive weekends after the postponement of the Cork event in January.

 

On the 100 Isles, it proved to be a very demanding event with very high penalties for most crews. In the end it was the team of James Fitzgerald/Ken Carmody who took the win from Mackarel/Hayes. The following weekend, some snowy and icy conditions faced crews on the Macroom based 1000 Shakes. On this occasion, overall honours went to Owen Murphy & Daire Hayes with Mackarel/Hayes edging out Fitzgerald/Carmody on a tie-break for 2^nd place.

 

Mackarel/Hayes hold the advantage on points with Fitzgerald/Carmody not far back in 2^nd place. Mac Kierans/Conor Boylan have contested all rounds to date and hold 3^rd place. Two rounds remain in Cavan & Monaghan next month and dropped scores could also play a factor in where the 2018-2019 National title will go.

 

Galway International Rally

 

The 2019 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship kicks into gear this weekend with the return of the Galway International Rally after a year’s absence. The event will be a 1 day event contested over 10 stages on Sunday 10^th February. The last two championships have been won by the Moffett brothers, Sam & Josh and both are scheduled to make the start next weekend in their R5 Fiestas. International Rally Star, Craig Breen, is the top seeds and firm event favourite.

 

The top 10 includes multiple former Tarmac and National Champions make the top 10 with many crews switching to R5 cars for the first time. Conor Foley is once again sitting with Donegal’s Donagh Kelly as they adapt to their new Skoda Fabia R5. Niall Maguire & Anthony Nestor are also on the Entry List in their Subaru WRC. Stephen Wright/Arthur Kierans return to the stages after nearly a year’s absence. Brendan Cumisky/Ronan O’Kane and Aaron McHale/Enda Sherry are also R5 mounted.

 

Paul Kelly is sitting for David Condell and Emmet Sherry is sitting with Stuart Darcy in the Modified category while Raymond Conlon/Damien Fleming are also amongst the front runners.

 

 

AGM

 

The Annual General Meeting of Co. Monaghan Motor Club was held in the Four Seasons Hotel on Wednesday 23^rd January before a large attendance. Secretary Paul Hughes in his report summarised what had been a busy and successful year for the club. He appealed for more volunteers to share the workload. The Chairman Conor Maguire thanked all who had helped and supported the club and its activities throughout the year. In particular he thanked the Four Seasons as main sponsor of the Stages Rally, all local sponsors and those who provided venues for events, as well as residents and landowners along the routes of the events. There was a round of applause for all club members who were successful at both International and National level in 2018.

 

The election of officers for 2019 resulted as follows:

Chairman: Conor Maguire, Vice-Chairman: Brendan Flynn, Secretary: Paul Hughes, Treasurer: Cathal MacArtain, Ast, Treasuer: Brendan Flynn, PRO: Evin Hughes, Registrar: Ronnie Hawe, Committee: Kerry Stevenson, Eoghan Corr, Michael Sheridan, Cathal McGlone, Shane Farrell, Garry Farrelly, Ciaran Tynan, Fintan Keenan, Samuel Patterson and Emmet Sherry.

 

Defending National Night Navigation Champions, Derek Mackarel & Muireann Hayes, remain on course for the successful defence of their title after back to back 2^nd places finishes on the Skibbereen 100 Isles & Cork 1000 Shakes Navigation Trials. These events occurred in successive weekends after the postponement of the Cork event in January.

 

On the 100 Isles, it proved to be a very demanding event with very high penalties for most crews. In the end it was the team of James Fitzgerald/Ken Carmody who took the win from Mackarel/Hayes. The following weekend, some snowy and icy conditions faced crews on the Macroom based 1000 Shakes. On this occasion, overall honours went to Owen Murphy & Daire Hayes with Mackarel/Hayes edging out Fitzgerald/Carmody on a tie-break for 2^nd place.

 

Mackarel/Hayes hold the advantage on points with Fitzgerald/Carmody not far back in 2^nd place. Mac Kierans/Conor Boylan have contested all rounds to date and hold 3^rd place. Two rounds remain in Cavan & Monaghan next month and dropped scores could also play a factor in where the 2018-2019 National title will go.

 

Galway International Rally

 

The 2019 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship kicks into gear this weekend with the return of the Galway International Rally after a year’s absence. The event will be a 1 day event contested over 10 stages on Sunday 10^th February. The last two championships have been won by the Moffett brothers, Sam & Josh and both are scheduled to make the start next weekend in their R5 Fiestas. International Rally Star, Craig Breen, is the top seeds and firm event favourite.

 

The top 10 includes multiple former Tarmac and National Champions make the top 10 with many crews switching to R5 cars for the first time. Conor Foley is once again sitting with Donegal’s Donagh Kelly as they adapt to their new Skoda Fabia R5. Niall Maguire & Anthony Nestor are also on the Entry List in their Subaru WRC. Stephen Wright/Arthur Kierans return to the stages after nearly a year’s absence. Brendan Cumisky/Ronan O’Kane and Aaron McHale/Enda Sherry are also R5 mounted.

 

Paul Kelly is sitting for David Condell and Emmet Sherry is sitting with Stuart Darcy in the Modified category while Raymond Conlon/Damien Fleming are also amongst the front runners.

 

 

AGM

 

The Annual General Meeting of Co. Monaghan Motor Club was held in the Four Seasons Hotel on Wednesday 23^rd January before a large attendance. Secretary Paul Hughes in his report summarised what had been a busy and successful year for the club. He appealed for more volunteers to share the workload. The Chairman Conor Maguire thanked all who had helped and supported the club and its activities throughout the year. In particular he thanked the Four Seasons as main sponsor of the Stages Rally, all local sponsors and those who provided venues for events, as well as residents and landowners along the routes of the events. There was a round of applause for all club members who were successful at both International and National level in 2018.

 

The election of officers for 2019 resulted as follows:

Chairman: Conor Maguire, Vice-Chairman: Brendan Flynn, Secretary: Paul Hughes, Treasurer: Cathal MacArtain, Ast, Treasuer: Brendan Flynn, PRO: Evin Hughes, Registrar: Ronnie Hawe, Committee: Kerry Stevenson, Eoghan Corr, Michael Sheridan, Cathal McGlone, Shane Farrell, Garry Farrelly, Ciaran Tynan, Fintan Keenan, Samuel Patterson and Emmet Sherry.

 

In our drive to recognise the broader motorsport community and significantly increase our strength I’d ask you to encourage all your club members, families and friends and community to register for MI membership.

MI-membership is a new initiative from Motorsport Ireland that will offer consumer benefits to the wider motorsport community. Think of all the people who have supported your passion and helped you to compete or run your event; now you can give them something back!

For just €10 per person you can nominate two of those people when applying for your 2019 licence. 2019 Motorsport Ireland licence holders will automatically become a member for free. Alternatively direct application and for more details, participating outlets and additional membership forms, please visit

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Thank you.

Leo

Chief Executive,               Motorsport Ireland, 34 Dawson Street, Dublin 2, Ireland