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Michael Conlon & Ciaran McPhillips made it three class wins out of three on the 2015 Irish Forestry Rally Championship. The pair finished the Ballyvourney based Moonraker Rally in 6^th overall, 1^st in class 13 and 1^st two wheel drive car. They had also finished top two wheel drive car in the previous rounds in Carrick-on-Suir and Donegal. After a day long battle they finished four seconds clear of Dean Raftery/John Higgins.

Josh Moffett/Jason McKenna led the Monaghan charge initially. The pair were in a strong 2^nd overall after six stages but they dropped out on stage 7, putting a major dent into their Championship hopes. Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips upheld Monaghan honour by moving into 6^th overall. The pair led the two-wheel drive brigade from stage 2 after main rival David Crossan retired from the lead. Michaela McGinn guided Fermanagh’s Damien McGauran to 12^th overall and 2^nd in class 13. Derek Mackarel and Cork’s Daire Hayes finished 32^nd overall and 6^th in class 16. They had been as high as 17^th overall until a long delay on stage six dropped them down the leaderboard. There is a big break until the next round of the Irish Forestry Rally Championship, which will be the Cork Forestry Rally at the end of August.

Monaghan Stages Rally Launched

 

The 2015 Hillgrove Hotel Monaghan Stages Rally is less than two weeks away and excitement is building towards the biggest annual sporting event in Co. Monaghan. Brendan Flynn returns as COC after a successful 2014 event. This year the event is a counting round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship as well as a round of the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship. The event is expected to attract a full entry with strong support from both championships.

Regarded as one of the biggest annual sporting events in the county, this year’s event is bigger and better than ever with a truly magnificent entry list of WRC specification cars, group N entries along with a host of powerful two wheel drive cars including some of the best drivers in the country. Many months of preparation have gone into this event, which is estimated to be worth in the region of 5 million euro to the local economy with large crowds expected throughout Monaghan town and the mid-Monaghan region over the course of the weekend.

The Rally Launch took place last week in the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan town which will also host the event on Sunday April 26^th. This is the 17^th successive year that the event is backed by Colm & Audrey Herron and their enthusiastic staff. The event will comprise of three stages repeated three times with service in Monaghan town after each loop. The podium celebration will take place at 5.20pm at the Hillgrove Hotel where the 2015 Monaghan Stages Rally winners will be crowned!

Upcoming events:

April 19^th Circuit of Kerry Rally

April 26^th Monaghan Stages Rally

May 2^nd-3^rd Killarney Rally of the Lakes

May 10^th Carlow Stages Rally

May 24^th Cavan Stages Rally

Ballinode’s Niall Maguire & Enda Sherry continued their recent form with 2^nd overall on the Midland Stages Rally last Sunday. The event was the second round of the 2015 Triton Showers National Rally Championship. The pair had already taken 3^rd overall on the opening round in Birr and had taken a win in Mayo since. They held a solid 3^rd overall throughout the day but moved up to 2^nd on the final stage after long-time leader Declan Boyle suffered a puncture. Donagh Kelly/Kevin Flanagan took the overall victory to move into the championship lead.

Tricky wet conditions faced the crews on the 9 stage event centralised around Roscommon town. Maguire/Sherry slotted into 3^rd place on the opening stage but were already 20 seconds adrift of the pace-setting Boyle. As Boyle and Kelly battled for the lead, Maguire/Sherry were fending off the challenge of Welshman Steve Wood and Killarney’s Alan Ring. When Boyle punctured on the final stages, Maguire/Sherry moved up to 2^nd with Ring taking 3^rd after Wood retired. Gary McPhillips/Paul Sheridan made their first appearance since last year’s Donegal International. The pair led the two-wheel drive category from start to finish after a holding off the hard-charging Chris Armstrong. They were also 4^th overall and 1^st in class 14.

David Moffett/Fintan Sherry took their Toyota Starlet to 12^th overall and 3^rd in class 13. Arthur Kierans guided Englishman Simon Chapman to 17^th overall and 2^nd in class 20 making up for their last stage retirement in Birr. Michael Carbin/Emmet McCooey took 19^th overall and 3^rd in class 20 in their Evo4. Jim McKenna/Paul Kelly finished 5^th in class 14 and 29^th overall. South Monaghan brothers Johno and Padraig Doogan took 32^nd overall and 8^th in class 13. Barry Treanor/Gregory McQuillan finished 48^th overall and 2^nd in class 11R while Martin Swinburne guided Leitrim’s Colin O’Rourke to 50^th overall and 11^th in class 13.

Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden were forced into Rally 2 after retiring on stage two but recovered to 81^st overall and 5^th in class 11R which at least secured a few championship points. Shane Maguire/Stephen Thornton were in a similar situation. Re-joining under Rally 2 after retiring on stage one, they salvaged 88^th overall and 6^th in class 4. Paul Crosby/Gretchen Fegan finished 4^th in the Junior Rally which was contested over the final six stages of the event. Retirements on the day included Martin McPhillips/Mark Sheridan, Brendan McDaid/Mac Kierans and Stefan McCann/Stephen McElroy. The National Rally Championship continues with the Monaghan Stages Rally on April 26^th.

Circuit of Ireland

 

Easter is associated with one event in the Irish Motorsport calendar, the Circuit of Ireland Rally. This year the event is a round of the European Rally Championship as well as a counting round of the Irish Tarmac and Northern Ireland Rally Championships. Sam & Josh Moffett have switched their Fiesta WRCs to RRC specification in order to challenge the ERC regulars. The pair are seeded at 7 and 12 respectively. Damien Connolly and James O’Reilly will also be gunning for ERC success. Damien is navigating for Robert Barrable at 6, while James is sitting with Martin McCormack at 11. Former Billy Coleman award winner, Stephen Wright will be back in action with his Fiesta R5 and is seeded at no. 14.

The Circuit of Ireland National Rally runs in tandem with the ERC event. Monaghan entrants include Evin Hughes sitting with Rodney White at 116 and Mac Kierans sitting with Alan Smyth at 140. Derek McGeehan/Arthur Kierans are currently on the reserve list. Full Report next week.

Upcoming events:

April 12^th Munster Forestry Rally

April 19^th Circuit of Kerry Rally

April 26^th Monaghan Stages Rally

May 2^nd-3^rd Killarney Rally of the Lakes

May 10^th Carlow Stages Rally

 

South Monaghan crew Keith McConnan/Micheal McCluskey took a dominant victory on last Saturday’s Navigation Trial. The Novice pairing finished over 30 penalties clear of their nearest rivals which secured them their first outright event win. The event was the final round of both the National & Border Night Navigation Championships.

Defending Gary Nesbitt Club Champions, Laurence Keenan & Ashley McAdoo were COC & ACOC respectively. The pair organised a brilliant 100 mile route through the Lough Egish, Shantonagh, Corduff and Magheracloone areas. The big trick of the night would be on the first SRS. After a plot & bash section the shortest route to the next timepoint passed through the ITC again. All bar one crew would double visit the check resulting in 30 penalty marks being applied to each offender. Eventual winners, Keith McConnan/Micheal McCluskey were the only crew to avoid the double visit at the ITC and by the petrol halt they held a commanding lead on a clean sheet. Colin Duffy/Sam Johnston & Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes held equal 2^nd overall on 31 penalties apiece.

The second half was a tighter affair with the section from TP35 to TP47 being particularly challenging. This also incorporated a Plot & Bash section which would catch the majority of crews out. McConnan/McCluskey held their nerve dropping just three penalties to maintain the lead. Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes moved into a clear 2^nd place on 36 penalties with Andy Mackarel/Conor Maguire moving up to 3^rd place on 42 penalties. A wrong departure at TP46 dropped Duffy/Johnston to 4^th overall but they were still on course to secure the Border Championship.

The leaderboard remained unchanged over the final few timepoints allowing McConnan/McCluskey to secure a well-deserved maiden win. In the Expert class Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes took the win from Mackarel/Maguire & Duffy/Johnston. Cork’s Dermot Whelton/Mark McCarthy took the Semi-Expert class win from Joe Friel/Eoghan McCarthy & Eoghan Corr/Darragh Kelly. Derek Mackarel/Seamus McTigue won the Novice class from Mark. Deery/Patrick O’Leary and Johnny Casey/Patrick O’Sullivan. Ciaran Sheridan/Conor Boylan dominated the Beginner’s class and finished an excellent 6^th overall to the embarrassment of many of the more experienced crews. Colm Mohan/Conor Mohan took another fine result with 2^nd in class with Paddy Sherlock/Oisin Sherlock coming home in 3^rd.

That’s the final Navigation Trial until October. Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes have won the National Championship and Colin Duffy/Sam Johnston have retained their Border title. Details on the prizegiving for each championship will be released in the coming weeks. The next round of the Monaghan Traders Club Championship will be the Stages Rally on April 26^th.

Moffett/McKenna take 2^nd on Donegal Forestry

 

Josh Moffett made the switch from his Fiesta WRC and Tarmac to his Group A Lancer and Gravel inside a week to compete on last Saturday’s Donegal Forestry Rally. The event was the second round of the Irish Forestry Rally Championship. Josh also switched navigator to his usual forestry co-driver Jason McKenna. The pair were on the pace from the start moving from 4^th to 2^nd overall as the day progressed. They eventually finished 2^nd, just 7.1 seconds behind overall winner Andrew Purcell.

Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips finished as the top two wheel drive finishers for the 2^nd consecutive event. The pair were involved in a close battle with Antrim’s David Crossan and actually started the final stage tied on equal times. When Crossan’s Escort got stuck in 4^th gear, Conlon/McPhillips sealed the two wheel drive honours and 5^th overall. Michael McGinn guided Fermanagh’s Damien McGauren to 10^th overall and 3^rd in class 13 in his Corolla. Derek Mackarel/Mark Deery finished 16^th overall and 2^nd in the Junior class in their Nova, continuing their fine start to the year. Out of luck were Enda McNulty/Paul Sheridan who retired from 5^th place on stage 3. The next round of the Irish Forestry Rally Championship is the Moonraker Forestry Rally in Ballyvourney, Cork on April 12^th.

Midland Stages Rally

 

The Triton Showers National Rally Championship continues with the Midland Stages Rally on Sunday next 29^th March.  The nine stage event will be based out of Roscommon and it has attracted a full entry plus reserves. Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry are the top Monaghan seeds at No.5 and will be hoping to continue their early season form. Damien Connolly is navigating for Peader Hurson at No.8. Gary McPhillips/Paul Sheridan are at No.16, Shane Maguire/Stephen Thornton at 21, Arthur Kierans navigating for Simon Chapman at 29, Michael Carbin/Emmet McCooey are at 33 and David Moffett/Fintan Sherry are No.38. The other Monaghan entries are Jim McKenna/Thomas Treanor, Jack Maguire/Andy Hayes, Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden, Barry Treanor/Gregory McQuillan, Johno Doogan/Padraig Doogan  and Martin McPhillips/Ciaran Tynan. Paul Crosby/Martin Swinburne and Stefan McCann/Stephen McElroy are entered in the Junior class. Full Report next week.

Circuit of Ireland Marshals

 

As a counting round of the European Rally Championship, the Circuit of Ireland Rally has attracted a bumper entry of International drivers for the 2 day event at Easter. Marshal Reward Packs available and a training course has been arranged on 30^th March at 8pm in Lisburn Civic Centre. Those available to help out on either Friday 3^rd or Saturday 4^th April are asked to contact Paul on 086-2571401.

 

Upcoming Events:

April 3^rd-4^th Circuit of Ireland Rally

April 12^th Munster Forestry Rally

April 19^th Circuit of Kerry Rally

April 26^th Monaghan Stages Rally

May 2^nd-3^rd Killarney International Rally

There were excellent results for Monaghan crews on last weekend’s West Cork Rally, Round 2 of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. Sam Moffett & co driver Karl Atkinson took a fine 2^nd overall in their Fiesta WRC with Stephen Wright & co driver Mickie Galvin right behind in 3^rd overall in their R5 specification Fiesta.

The two day event was based around the town of Clonakilty with eight stages on Saturday and six stages on Sunday. Sam Moffett/Karl Atkinson slotted into an early 2^nd place behind the flying Ford Focus of Donagh Kelly, a place he would hold for the rest of the event. Sam’s brother Josh was also competing in a Fiesta WRC. He held 4^th overall until an ignition problem ended their event on stage 7. They later rejoined the event on day two.

By the end of the opening day, Moffett trailed Kelly by 48 seconds. Stephen Wright was getting to grips with his recently acquired Fiesta R5. He was leading his class and 5^th overall overnight. Day two followed the pattern of day one with Moffett unable to make any inroads to Kelly’s lead. Sam eventually settled for 2^nd overall which was enough to move into 2^nd place in the Irish Tarmac Championship. Stephen Wright benefited from retirments ahead to move into 3^rd place overall as well as securing a convincing victory in the R5 class.

Furher down the field, Stephen Thornton guided Vivian Hamill to 16^th overall and 5^th in class 14. Josh Moffett/John Rowan salvaged 18^th overall after setting some impressive stage times on day two. John McQuaid/James McCarville were unable to start the event. The third round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship will be the Circuit of Ireland Rally on Easter weekend.

Bishopscourt Stages Rally

 

Two Monaghan navigators made the trip north for the Bischopscourt Rally on Saturday. Damien Connolly was navigating for Peader Hurson and they brought their Subaru WRC home to 4^th overall. Mac Kierans guided Alan Smyth to 13^th overall in their Citroen C2 and finished 3^rd amongst the R2 class competitors.

Monaghan Navigation Trial

 

All roads lead to Aughnamullen for the final round of the National & Border Navigation Championship on Saturday night. COC Laurence Keenan and ACOC Ashley McAdoo are organising the final Navigation Trial until October and the pair hope to have a 100 mile route which will surely be a challenging test for competitors. Marshals are required for this event and anyone available should meet at the Community Centre, Aughnamullen at 8pm.

Donegal Forestry Rally

 

Round 2 of the Irish Forestry Rally Championship takes place on Saturday with the re-arranged Donegal Forestry Rally. Entries are still be received for this event but a number of Monaghan crews are expected to make the start. Six stages are on the agenda to be held in the Pettigo area. Full Report next week.

Stage Commander Training

 

A Motorsport Ireland Stage Commander training course will be held in the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan on Thursday 19^th March with sign-on at 7.45 for an 8pm start. This course is compulsory for those seeking a Stage Commander’s licence. It is also required as a refresher course for those licence holders who last attended this course 3 years ago or more. Newcomers who attend will be able to obtain their full Stage Commander licence, once they have officiated as Deputy Stage Commander at two events, or have previously officiated in this role.

The course is approximately two and half hours long and will cover a number of topics, including Public Relations, Reconnaissance, Stage set-up and Accident Management.  We would encourage any experienced marshal interested in progressing in rally management to attend this course, which is free of charge.

Upcoming events:

March 29^th Midland Stages Rally

April 3^rd-4^th Circuit of Ireland Rally

April 12^th Munster Forestry Rally

April 19^th Circuit of Kerry Rally

April 26^th Monaghan Stages Rally

 

Niall Maguire & Enda Sherry claimed overall victory on last weekend’s Mayo Stages Rally. The pair led the event from start to finish, completing the nine stages one minute clear of their nearest rival. This result followed a podium finish in Birr in what has been an excellent start to the year for the Ballinode duo. Frank Wray/Joe McNulty and Aaron McHale/Paul McGee completed the podium finishers.

The Ballina based Mayo Rally was the opening round of the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship. A loop of three stages in the Killala area repeated three times was the format of the day. Maguire/Sherry took the lead on the opening stage and never looked back, maintaining a comfortable advantage for the rest of the day. Niall’s son Shane capped off a great weekend for the Maguire team as he and co-driver Stephen Thornton finished 4^th overall and 1^st in Group N. Defending Border Champions, David Moffett & Fintan Sherry made the switch to class 13 this year and much like their dominance of class 11R last year, they led the class from start to finish taking 6^th overall to boot.

Mark Tierney guided Brian Armstrong to 2^nd in class 12 and 13^th overall in their Mk2 Escort. Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden made it two class 11R wins in a row and were 17^th overall to boot. Mark Hamill guided Cavan’s Brendan O’Reilly to 34^th overall and victory in class 9. Brendan McAree/Johno Doogan brought their immaculate Porsche 911 to 47^th overall and 9^th in class 14. Declan Connolly/Alison Hughes finished 50^th overall and 2^nd in class 9 bagging some useful Border points. Vincent McAree/Martin Connolly rejoined the event under Super Rally rules after retiring on stage 2. They managed to get the car repaired and back out on the last loop and eventually finished 59^th overall and 3^rd in class 13. Fintan Lennon guided Cavan’s Paul Crosby to victory in the Junior class.

Out of luck were Michael Carbin/Emmet McCooey who retired their Mitsubishi Lancer on stage 2. Sean McCaul/Frank Clerkin were lying 4^th in class before their event came to end on stage 5. Johnny Treanor/Adrian Foley were leading class 9 but would retire on the final stage. Martin Swinburne/Gretchen Fegan were competing in the Junior class but after an up and down day, they too would retire on stage 6 whilst lying 5^th in class.

West Cork Rally

 

A small number of Monaghan competitors are entered for next weekend’s West Cork Rally, round 2 of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. Sam and Josh Moffett are both on the entry list at No.4 and No.6 respectively. Stephen Wright is listed at No.9 in his Ford Fiesta R5. John McQuaid/James McCarville are at No.42 in their Mk2 Escort and Mac Kierans is navigating for Brendan McDaid at no. 65. Full Report on their progress next week.

Upcoming Events:

March 21^st Donegal Forestry Rally

March 21^st Monaghan Navigation Trial

March 22^nd Cavan Autocross

March 29^th Midland Stages Rally

April 3^rd/4^th Circuit of Ireland Rally

April 12^th Munster Forestry Rally