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There was disappointment for Daniel McKenna and Andrew Grennan on last weekend’s Rally Finland when their event came to an end after four stages. Daniel had targeted to gain some useful points in the championship and they made an immediate impact by moving into an early 3^rd place. Stage four of the rally was the legendary Ouninpohja stage regarded as the fastest and most dangerous stage in the world. There are 75 jumps along its 33km route. Unfortunately for McKenna/Grennan it proved to be one jump too many as their car landed on its nose  after one, damaging its radiator. Although they made it to the end of the stage, their event was over as the engine was also damaged.

This was a bitter disappointment for the crew as their hopes of JWRC glory this year are all but over. The next round of the JWRC is to be Rally France at the end of September. This will be the first full Tarmac Round of the Championship and it could be an opportunity for a class win as Daniel returns to his preferred surface.

Monaghan Endurance Trial

Plans are well advanced for this year’s Endurance Trial after a number of successful events in recent years. The event will see the return of many popular selectives including Rally School Ireland, Waterson’s Quarry, Latton Hut Cross and Wright’s Quarry. There will also be some new selectives never used previously, with a combination of smooth tarmac, concrete and gravel surfaces. A lot of effort goes into the running of this event and it will be beneficial to the club if entries can be sent in as soon as possible. The event takes place on Sunday 16^th August. Regulations will be released this week.

Damien Connolly navigated Down’s Peader Hurson to overall victory on last Saturday’s Tyrone Stages Rally. The event was the fifth round of the Northern Ireland Rally Championship and consisted of three closed road stages repeated twice totaling 44 miles. Hurson/Connolly dominated the event from start to finish, going fastest on every stage to take a comfortable win from Frank Kelly/David Vance. Their only problem was the readout on the dash failing after four stages.

Paul Sheridan guided Enda McNulty to 6^th overall and 2^nd in class 7 in their Mk2 Escort. Evin Hughes was on the notes for Rodney White and they finished 8^th overall and 1^st in class 6 after two of their class rivals hit problems on the final stage. Mac Kierans guided Alan Smyth to 13^th overall and 2^nd in class 4. This leaves them in 2^nd place in the Road 2 Wales Initiative which gives the winning crew a free drive in a Citroen DS3 on Wales Rally GB.

McKenna/Grennan head to Finland

Daniel McKenna & Andrew Grennan continue their pursuit of the JWRC title at this weekend’s Rally Finland. The iconic event which runs from Thursday to Saturday is known for its flat out stages and spectacular jumps. The stages are on gravel roads through forests and feature some of the world’s classic stages. With a non-finish in Monte-Carlo and a low points finish in Portugal, McKenna & Grennan will be determined to bag some strong points this weekend.

Upcoming Events:

Tipperary Stonethrowers August 9^th

Ulster Rally August 14^th-15^th

Mondaghan Endurance Trial August 16^th

Cork Forestry Rally August 23^rd

Galway Summer Rally August 30^th

Niall Maguire & Enda Sherry were once again the top Monaghan crew on last weekend’s Sligo Stages Rally. The event was round six of the National Rally Championship and round four of the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship. After nine fast and flowing stages including Glencar and Lough Gill, the Ballinode crew secured 3^rd overall behind Declan Boyle and Donagh Kelly. The result leaves Maguire & Sherry in a very comfortable 2^nd in the championship behind Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan who secured the title in Sligo.

Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly led the Monaghan crews over the opening stages and held a solid 3^rd overall after six stages. Their event came to an end after problems on stage seven which promoted Maguire/Sherry into that position. Andrew Grennan took a break from his WRC duties with Daniel McKenna to take 14^th overall and 5^th in class alongside Leitrim man Enda McLaughlin. Raymond Conlon & Mark Sheridan finished 16^th overall and 6^th in class 13. Michael Carbin/Emmet McCooey brought their Lancer home 19^th overall and 3^rd in class 20. Shane Maguire/Mac Kierans made steady progress during the day to take 23^rd overall and 6^th in class 4. Justin Smyth/James McEneaney had a great run to 24^th overall and 1^st in class 9. Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden took yet another win in class 11R and 29^th overall. Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes took 49^th overall and 1^st in class 3. Sean McCaul/Frank Clerkin survived a delay on the first stage to take 71^st overall and 11^th in class 11R. Declan Connolly/Alison Hughes came home 75^th overall and 7^th in class 9.

David Moffett/Fintan Sherry had been holding 2^nd in class 13 until their Toyota Starlet went off the road at a slippy square right on stage five. Brian Armstrong/Mark Tierney retired on the opening stage as did Barry Treanor/Gregory McQuillan. Steven Corey/Vinnie Boyd’s rally came to an end on stage five. Martin Swinburne/Gretchen Fegan were contesting the Junior Rally but retired after an off on stage one.

Both the Border and National Rally Championships are on hiatus until the end of August and the Galway Summer Rally.

Jim McKenna & Thomas Treanor led the Monaghan crews home on last weekend’s ALMC Stages Rally.The event which was based out of the town of Trim in County Meath attracted just under 100 crews. After nine stages, McKennna & Treanor finished a fine 6^th overall and 1^st in class 14. Jack Maguire & Andy Hayes took 12^th overall and 3^rd in class 14. Barry McKenna & Mac Kierans finished 15^th overall and 2^nd in class 13. Padraig Connolly & Padraig Corrigan retired on stage five.

Monaghan Motor Club would like to express our wish for a speedy recovery to those injured in an accident during the event last Sunday.

Sligo Stages Rally

Round 6 of the Triton National Rally Championship takes place this weekend with the Sligo Stages Rally. The event is also Round 4 of the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship and has attracted a capacity entry. The event will compromise of three stages repeated three times with HQ once again the Sligo Park Hotel.

Sam Moffett is the top Monaghan seed at No.3 with Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry starting at No.4. David Moffett & Fintan Sherry are at No.15, Shane Maguire/Mac Kierans are at No 18 and Raymond Conlon/Mark Sheridan start at No.25. Mark Tierney is sitting with Brian Armstrong at 29 and Michael Carbin/Emmet McCooey are at No. 32. Andrew Grennan is sitting with Enda McLaughlin at 46. Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden are at No.51 in their Corolla with class rivals Barry Treanor/Gregory McQuillan right behind at 52. Steven Corey/Vinnie Boyd, Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes, Declan Connolly/Alison Hughes are at 63. 79 and 101 respectively. Sean McCaul/Frank Clerkin are at No.123. Martin Swinburne/Gretchen Fegan are at No.4 in the Junior class. Full report next week.

Upcoming fixtures:

July 25^th Cookstown Stages Rally

July 26^th Imokilly Mini Stages Rally

August 8^th Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally

Three Monaghan men contested the Ypres Rally in Belgium last weekend, a counting round of the European Rally Championship. Josh Moffett & John Rowan and Sam Moffett & Karl Atkinson competed in Ford Fiesta’s while James O’Reilly was navigating for Martin McCormack in a Skoda Fabia S2000. McCormack/O’Reilly would be the only crew to finish coming home an excellent 8th overall.

The opening day was contested over seven stages on Friday. Josh Moffett/John Rowan led the early Monaghan charge and would hold 9th place after four stages but then lost a minute with a puncture and would be drop to 18th overnight. Martin McCormack/James O’Reilly finished the day in 8th place. Sam Moffett & Karl Atkinson held 15th place overnight despite being on the wrong tires for the second loop.

A further ten stages were contested on Saturday. Josh Moffett & John Rowan and Martin McCormack/James O’Reilly were setting similar stages with Sam Moffett & Karl Atkinson not too far adrift. Both Moffett brothers reported some small concerns with Sam having an overshoot and Josh complaining of brake fade. Sam would retire on stage 11 and more drama would occur on stage 15 with Martin McCormack/James O’Reilly losing several minutes after getting stuck in a ditch.

The final drama occurred on the final stage as Josh Moffett & John Rowan crashed out of 8th place after cutting a corner too tight which launched the car into a roll. Luckily, neither occupant was seriously injured. This left McCormack/O’Reilly to take 8th place after going 2nd fastest overall on the final stage. Overall honours went to Belgian ace Freddy Loix who won the event for the tenth time.

Carrick-on-Suir Ravens Rock Rally

A number of Monaghan crews made their way to Waterford to contest Round 5 of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship. Niall Maguire & Enda Sherry were debuting their recently acquired ex Declan Boyle Subaru WRC. This event was to be a learning curve for this crew in the new car.

Peader Hurson & Damien Connolly were expected to challenge for honours but a fuel leak put them out before the opening stage. Maguire & Sherry put in a steady drive to finish 5th overall and cement their 2nd place in the championship. Championship leader Donagh Kelly & Kevin Flanagan made it five maximum scores in a row with yet another victory to move closer to securing the overall title. Michael Conlon & Ciaran McPhillips brought their Mk2 Escort home 13th overall and 3rd in class 13. Pauric Duffy & John Higgins finished 19th overall and 2nd in class 5. Seamus Connolly & Gary McCrudden were back at the wheel of their Toyota Corolla and took 2nd in class 11R and 34th overall. Barry McKenna & Declan Tynan retired at first service after a long delay on stage two.

The next round of the Triton National Rally Championship is the Sligo Stages Rally in two weeks time.

ALMC Stages Rally

This weekend ALMC are running their stages rally out of Trim, County Meath. Jack Maguire, Barry McKenna/Mac Kierans and Padraig Connolly/Padraig Corrigan are entered to compete. Monaghan also need to provide marshals for this event and those able to help are asked to contact Kerry Stevenson.

Upcoming events:
July 12th Sligo Stages Rally
July 25th Cookstown Stages Rally
July 26th Imokilly Mini Stages Rally