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It was a red letter day for Monaghan crews on last weekend’s Carrick-on-Suir Forestry Rally. The event was the opening round of the 2016 Irish Forestry Championship. With reigning champions, Josh Moffett & Jason McKenna non-starting, it was left to Josh’s brother Sam & his father Robert to fly the family flag.

 

Sam, who was navigated by Cavan’s James Fulton on this occasion set the pace on the opening stage. Tyrone’s Niall McCullagh took the lead on stage two and the pair would be involved in a close battle for the remainder of the day. McCullagh led after four stages with Moffett 14 seconds in arrears. Michael Carbin/Darragh Kelly were on an impressive charge in their Lancer and held 4^th overall. Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips were involved in a close three way battle for 2wd honours whilst Derek Mackarel/Daire Hayes continued their incredible pace from 2015 by holding 12^th overall in their Nova by the half way stage. Robert Moffett & James O’Reilly were having a cautious run in Robert’s first rally in over a decade and for the first time behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta WRC.

 

The battle between Sam Moffett & McCullagh came to end when the Tyrone driver was sidelined on stage seven. Moffett & Fulton proceeded to take a one minute victory. This was also the first overall win for an R5 car in the Republic of Ireland. Michael Carbin/Darragh Kelly recorded their best ever result with 3^rd overall after a close battle with Patrick O’Brien/Aine McGuigan. Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips finished 8^th overall and 1^st in class 13. They were also the third 2wd car home. Derek Mackarel/Daire Hayes finished 13^th overall and were comfortable winners in the Junior class. Robert Moffett/James O’Reilly took their WRC Fiesta home to 15^th overall.

 

Round 2 of the Irish Forestry Championship is the Moonraker Forestry Rally on April 16^th.

 

Results

 

1 Sam Moffett/James Fulton (Fiesta R5) 37m 37s,
2 Patrick O’Brien/Aine McGuigan (Lancer Evo 9 Gp N) 38m 40s,
3 Mickey Carbin/Darragh Kelly (Lancer Evo 4) 39m 07s,
4 Liam Ryan/Keith Moriarty (Lancer Evo 8) 39m 28s,
5 Gerard Lucey/J J Cremin (Lancer Evo 8) 39m 51s,
6 Adrian Hetherington/Gary Nolan (Escort) 40m 11s,
7 John Gordon/Thomas Wedlock (Escort) 40m 23s,
8 Mickey Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips (Escort) 40m 30s,
9 Dermot Kelly/Greg Shinnors (Lancer Evo) 41m 05s,
10 Hugh McQuaid/Enda Gerety (Escort) 41m 50s.
Junior Class: 1 Derek Mackarel/Daire Hayes (Nova) 42m 14s.

 

 

McCarra Top Local on Autotest

 

Monaghan Motor Club’s annual autotest took place on Sunday last in Wright’s Quarry, Swan’s Cross. Kieran McCarra showed the locals the way on the club event taking a 30 seconds victory over the eight timed tests. Martin Tynan bagged some useful Trader’s championship points with 2^nd place. Damien Hagan just held off Declan Tynan for 3^rd with Ciaran Tynan in 5^th place.

 

In the main Hewison Trophy section of the event, Guy Foster took overall victory from Steven Ferguson, both driving Mini Specials. Darren Quille driving a Westfield was in 3^rd place overall.

 

Results

 

1 Guy Foster (Mini Special) 562.3s,
2 Steven Ferguson (Mini Special) 579.3s,
3 Darren Quille (Westfield) 584.3s,

Club Members:

1 Kieran McCarra (Starlet) 375.1s,
2 Martin Tynan (Starlet) 403.5s,
3 Damien Hagan (Starlet) 417.0s,
4 Declan Tynan (Starlet) 419.8s,
5 Ciaran Tynan (Daihatsu) 421.0s,
6 Damien Connolly (Mini Special) 427.6s.

 

Midland Night Navigation Trial

 

On a busy weekend of motorsport, Longford’s Colin Duffy & Sam Johnston made a winning return to the Night Navigation scene with overall victory on the Midland Navigation Trial, based in Ballinalee, Co. Longford. The pair came home on a clean sheet. Monaghan’s Martin Tynan & Fintan Clerkin kept up their good recent form with 2^nd overall with Michael & Ciaran Tynan just behind in 3^rd. National Championship leaders, Pakie Duffy & Evin Hughes secured 5^th overall to maintain their lead in both the National & Border Championships.

 

COC Nigel McCloughry laid out a challenging 70 mile route which was primarily based on tarmac roads but with plenty of good navigation required. The trick of the night was the issuing of plot & bash for TP15 at TP1, which only a small number of crews were able to notice. This was the cause of the majority of crews dropping penalties.

 

Keith McConnan & Micheal McCluskey took 1^st in the Semi-Expert class followed home by Eoghan Corr/Ruadhri Nash. Aiden Sherry & Oisin Sherlock took 2^nd in the Novice class on a tie-break from Mac Kierans/Conor Boylan. This result secured 1^st in the Novice class in the Munster Championship for Conor with Oisin taking 2^nd in the same class.

 

The next round of the National & Border Night Navigation Championships is the Cavan Navigation Trial on 27^th February.

 

Results

 

1 Colin Duffy/Sam Johnston (Subaru Impreza) 0 marks,
2 Martin Tynan/Fintan Clerkin (Subaru Impreza) 2m,
3 Mickey Tynan/Ciaran Tynan (Subaru Impreza) 5m,
4 Dermot Whelton/Mark McCarthy (Subaru Impreza) 23m,
5 Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes (Subaru Impreza) 24m,
6 Andrew Stewart/Robert Howard (Peugeot 205) 26m,
7 Keith McConnon/Micheal McCluskey (Subaru Impreza) 31m,
8 Alan Shinnors/George Shinnors (Subaru Impreza) 30m,
9 Richard Cassidy/Paul Phelan (Vauxhall Vectra) 36m,
10 Brendan Treanor/Garry Farrelly (Subaru Impreza) 36m,
11 Aidan Sherry/Oisin Sherlock (Subaru Impreza) 39m,
12 Mac Kierans/Conor Boylan (Subaru Impreza) 39m.

 

 

 

Sam Moffett & Karl Atkinson made a promising start to the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship with a fine 4^th place overall on last weekend’s Galway International Rally. The pair were making their first appearance in a Ford Fiesta R5 having piloted a WRC version for the previous two years. The Irish Tarmac & British Rally Championships are both being decided by the R5 class this year.

 

Sam was expected to renew his rivalry with his brother Josh who was joined by Jason McKenna last weekend. Stephen Wright was making his debut in an Evo2 spec Ford Fiesta R5 and had a new navigator in James Fulton. Moffett/Atkinson were on the pace from the get go holding 6^th overall and 4^th in class by first service. Stages five & six were both cancelled by accidents with Moffett/Atkinson maintaining their class placing. By the end of the day they would be in 5^th place just 30 seconds adrift of the class leader, Triple British Champion, Keith Cronin.

 

Josh Moffett/Jason McKenna & Stephen Wright/James Fulton were having a great battle in the lower reaches of the top 10. Moffett/McKenna moved ahead in the evening stages to hold 7^th overall with Wright/Fulton in 9^th place. Enda Sherry was navigating for Aaron McHale and held 13^th overall in their Skoda. Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden held a fine 9^th overall in the National Rally and held an enormous 10 minute class lead. Brendan & JP McAree recovered from a long delay on stage two to recover to 5^th in the Historic class by the day end.

 

A further six stages were held on Sunday. Moffett/Atkinson continued to set some impressive times posting fastest R5 time on Stage 11. The pair backed off in the closing stages as they had little to gain ahead and had a comfortable advantage to the crew behind them. They began their year in fine style with 4^th overall and 3^rd in class behind Keith Cronin & Alistair Fisher both of whom have been regularly competing on the world level.

 

Josh Moffett & Jason McKenna finished 6^th overall and 4^th in class after some encouraging times on the Sunday stages. Stephen Wright/James Fulton brought their Fiesta home 9^th overall and 7^th in class. Enda Sherry navigated Aaron McHale to 12^th overall and 9^th in class 5. In the National Rally, Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden retired on stage 11 after a great drive. Brendan & JP McAree brought their Porsche home 5^th in the Historic class.

 

The next round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship is the West Cork Rally in a month’s time.

 

Irish Forestry Rally Championship

 

Josh Moffett & Jason McKenna will begin their defence of the Irish Forestry Rally Championship on this weekend’s Carrick-on-Suir Forestry Rally. Other Monaghan names on the entry list include defending 2wd champions, Michael Conlon & Ciaran McPhillips, Damien McGauren/Michaela McGinn and the returning Robert Moffett in a Fiesta WRC.

 

Autotest

 

The annual Monaghan Motor Club Autotest takes place this weekend at Wright’s Quarry, Swans Cross. The event will have a class for club members as well as the Autotest regulars. COC Brendan Flynn requires a number of marshals for the day and anyone available to marshal should contact him.

 

James McCarville scored one of his best overall results to date with 2^nd overall on last weekend’s Donegal Mini Stages Rally. McCarville joined forces with young Ryan Loughren and the pair held a strong 2^nd place throughout the day. After five stages in extremely tricky conditions, they were just 16 seconds adrift of rally winner, Jonathan Pringle.

 

Morning snow showers had cleared by the time the event got under way. Stage 1 was cancelled due to communication issues but the remaining five stages ran as planned. A snow shower on the final stage saw an inch of snow on the road testing drivers and navigators to the limit. Gary McPhillips/Paul Sheridan were expected to be in the hunt for overall honours but they were sidelined on stage two after an off road excursion. Raymond Conlon/James O’Reilly faired better finishing 15^th overall and 3^rd in class 13. Mac Kierans guided Alan Smyth to 27^th overall and 1^st in class 11F. Andrew Grennan guided Vivian Hamaill to 34^th overall and 8^th in class. Arthur Kierans was sitting with Brendan McDaid but a long delay on the final stage dropped them from 12^th overall to last place.

 

Skibbereen Night Navigation

 

Skibbereen Motor Club played host to Round 5 of the National Night Navigation Championship. A number of Monaghan crews made the trip south. Pakie Duffy & Evin Hughes were the top local finishers in 3^rd overall which strengthens their lead in the National Night Navigation Championship. Peter Farrell & Shane Farrell had a brilliant run on a tricky event to 7^th overall and 1^st in the Semi-Expert class. Mac Kierans travelled the length of Ireland to compete on the event with Conor Boylan and was rewarded with 13^th overall and 4^th in class. Aiden Sherry/Oisin Sherlock finished 16^th overall and 5^th Novice. Caolan & Ryan Treanor retired early on with mechanical problems.

 

The next round of the National & Border Navigation Championships is the Midland NavigationTrial on Saturday 13^th February.

 

Galway International Rally

 

The opening round of the Irish Tarmac Championship, two day Galway International Rally takes place this weekend 7 & 8^th February. New for 2016 is the introduction of the latest R5 category of rally cars as the premier championship class for this rally. A number of these new cars have been sourced by Irish drivers and they feature strongly among the entries, with Ford Fiestas, Citroen DS3s and Skoda Fabias being the most popular versions.

 

There is plenty of Monaghan interest in what is a star-studded top 20. Josh Moffett and Jason McKenna are seeded behind three times British Champion Keith Cronin at No 9 in their Fiesta R5. Sam Moffett and Karl Atkinson are at 11 with Stephen Wright and James Fulton at 12 in similar cars. Enda Sherry navigates for Aaron McHale in a Fabia S2000 at 17, while Eugene Meegan and Sarah Whelan are at 22 in a BMW M1. Seamus Connolly and Gary McCrudden continue to campaign the venerable Corolla Twin Cam at 47 in class 11R.

 

World Rally Car drivers include former rally winner Tim McNulty from Meath in a MINI WRC, Declan Boyle from Donegal and Roy White from Clonmel in two Fiesta WRC cars. The number 1 seed is Gary Jennings from Enniskillen driving a Subaru WRC.

 

 

 

Donegal Motor Club hosted round 3 of the Squealing Pig Border Navigation Championship on Saturday night last 23^rd January. The Eamon Harvey Memorial Navigation Trial was run out of Milford with 70 miles on offer. Local competitors had reigned supreme on this event in recent years but it was the Longford/Monaghan duo of Pakie Duffy & Evin Hughes who took victory this year.

 

A tricky plot & bash section between TP14 and TP16 would be the deciding factor. Top seeds Paul Reid/Kevin Gallagher and Michael Tynan/Ciaran Tynan both picked up 20 penalties at TP15. Martin Tynan & Fintan Clerkin fresh from a 2^nd place finish in Monaghan were in the lead at this point. However, a ‘herring bone tulip’ on plot & bash resulted in them dropping 10 penalties which demoted them to 2^nd place. Pakie Duffy & Evin Hughes had a good run throughout to come home with a total of 14 penalties, which was good enough to secure overall honours and a second consecutive win following their success in Cork.

 

Martin Tynan & Fintan Clerkin secured 2^nd place on 18 penalties. Paul Reid/Kevin Gallagher (29 pens) and Michael Tynan/Ciaran Tynan (31 pens) were next up with Semi-Expert class winners, Eoghan Corr/Ruadhri Nash completing the top five.

 

Aiden Sherry/Oisin Sherlock made it back-to-back wins in the Novice class followed closely home by fellow Monaghan men, Kevin McCormick & David McCrudden.

 

The next round of the Squealing Pig Border Championship is the Midland Navigation Trial on February 13^th.

 

Results:

1^st Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes (Subaru Impreza) 14 pens,

2^nd Martin Tynan/Fintan Clerkin (Subaru Impreza) 18 pens,

3^rd Paul Reid/Kevin Gallagher (Subaru Impreza) 29 pens,

4^th Michael Tynan/Ciaran Tynan (Subaru Impreza) 31 pens,

5^th Eoghan Corr/Ruadhri Nash (Subaru Impreza) 36 pens,

6^th Brendan Friel/Ciaran Geaney (Subaru Impreza) 48 pens,

7^th Dermot McGroary/Eamon Doherty (Subaru Impreza) 59 pens,

8^th Macartan Kierans/Andrew Wedlock (Subaru Impreza) 96 pens,

9^th Aiden Sherry/Oisin Sherlock (Subaru Impreza) 115 pens,

10^th Kevin McCormick/David McCrudden (Subaru Impreza) 120 pens,

 

 

Defending National champions Pakie Duffy & Evin Hughes took overall victory on last weekend’s 1000 Shakes Navigation Trial based in Macroom, Co. Cork. The event was a counting round of the National & Munster Night Navigation Championships and attracted a strong entry of Monaghan club members.

 

COC Nial Murphy organised an 80 mile route through some classic navigation terrain. The opening section resulted in a number of crews dropping early penalties and a plot & bash section resulted in more penalties being dropped. By the midway point of the event, Pakie Duffy & Evin Hughes had moved into the lead from their National Championship rivals, Dermot Whelton & Mark McCarthy. The pair would be evenly matched over the remainder of the event with Duffy/Hughes coming home with a five penalty advantage. 3^rd overall went to Limerick brothers Alan & George Shinnors, a further three penalties in arrears. Owen Murphy/Daire Hayes & Donal Healy/Denis O’Donovan completed the top five despite brake issues and a long delay stuck in a field respectively.

 

One of the performances of the event was that of Aiden Sherry & Oisin Sherlock who finished 6^th overall and 1^st in the Novice class. The pair got all timepoints during the night as they secured their best result to date. Mac Kierans/Conor Boylan also had an excellent run to 2^nd in the Novice class and 10^th overall. Keith McConnan & Micheal McCluskey finished 8^th overall and 2^nd in the Semi-Expert class. Colm & Conor Mohan finished 4^th in the Novice class and 14^th overall despite some late mechanical drama. Ryan & Caolan Treanor finished 3^rd in the Beginners class on an impressive first visit to Cork. There was disappointment for Eoghan Corr & David McCrudden who were sidelined with mechanical failure.

 

Results

1 Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes (Subaru Impreza) 8 marks,
2 Dermot Whelton/Mark McCarthy (Subaru Impreza) 13m,
3 Alan Shinnors/George Shinnors (Subaru Impreza) 15m,
4 Owen Murphy/Daire Hayes (Subaru Forester) 17m,
5 Donal Healy/Denis O’Donovan (Toyota Starlet) 19m,
6 Aidan Sherry/Oisin Sherlock (Subaru Impreza) 28m,
7 Johnny Casey/Patrick O’Sullivan (Peugeot 306) 29m,
8 Keith McConnon/Micheal McCluskey (Subaru Impreza) 31m,
9 Ray O’Neill/Stephen O’Neill (Mondeo) 32m,
10 Mac Kierans/Conor Boylan (Subaru Impreza) 33m.

 

The National Championship continues in a fortnight’s time with the 100 Isles Navigation Trial based in Innishannon, Co. Cork. The Border Navigation Championship resumes with the Donegal Navigation Trial on Saturday next 23^rd January in Milford.

 

AGM

 

There was a good attendance at the Annual General Meeting of Monaghan Motor Club which was held in the Hillgrove Hotel on Thursday 14^th January 2016. Reports were presented by the Secretary Roisin Meenagh and by Treasurer Cathal MacArtain. The Chairman Paul Hughes, in a wide ranging address, thanked all who had helped and supported the club and its activities throughout 2015. In particular he thanked the Hillgrove Hotel as main sponsor of the stages rally, all local sponsors, those who provided venues for events, as well as residents and landowners. He reserved a special thank you for Cora Maguire who was retiring from the committee having given over 30 years of excellent service. It was another successful year for club members at both International and National level, the highlight of which was Josh Moffett and Jason McKenna being crowned National Forestry Champions, while Evin Hughes regained the National Navigator title.

 

The election of officers for 2016 resulted as follows:

Chairman: Paul Hughes, Vice-Chairman: Conor Maguire, Club Secretary: Roisin Meenagh, Event Secretary: Gary Hall, Treasurer: Cathal MacArtain, Ast, Treasuer: Brendan Flynn, PRO: Evin Hughes, Registrar: Ronnie Hawe, Committee: Kerry Stevenson, Thomas Treanor, Eoghan Corr, Shane Maguire, Michael Sheridan, Garry Farrelly, Ciaran Tynan, Fintan Keenan, Damien Hagan, Fintan Clerkin and Samuel Patterson.