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RALLY
NEWS NO.1
Service - Ballyheige - Sunday 1.30 www.rallynews.net)
Bio-tech boss Tadgh Linehan, principle sponsor of today's
rally along with Banna Beach Hotel's William Murphy, is
doing "OO" duties in his Group N Mitsubishi
Lancer, reports the stage to be slippery after the heavy
overnight rain. Tadgh, who is being co driven today by
Jakes Kelly's sister Mairead, went on to say that the road
is very fast, no room for error. No.1 seed on the
rally is Sean Gallagher and he is co driven today by Paul
Nagle. Sean's Escort Cosworth arrived in after the
familiarisation run with a wiper dangling loose, hopefully
not a portent of things to come, either on the weather front
or the mechanical reliability of Sean's Escort Cosworth.
At No.2 is James and Paul McCann from Ballyjamesduff, also
in an Escort Cosworth, and at No.3 is Pat Donegan.
Kells man Pat was competing yesterday on the Gullion Stage
Rally up in the mountains of Mourne, and finished 2nd
overall. Winner of that event was young Brian
Armstrong. Donegan made the long overnight trip from
Newry to here to compete today, and even took time out to
change his Escort's damaged differential.
Dessie Keenan was to be at No.4 but he is non-starting.
Further non starters from the top of the entry list include
No.26 Paul McEnroe and 27 Eddie Kenneally. There are
further non starters further down the list, but all the
slots have been filled from the long list of reserves, so
that a full 131 cars started. Some co-driver changes
include - Denis O'Donovan sitting in with Willie Power in
the Darrian at 18. Marie Power was to have co-driven
but is now looking after the new baby. Barney McKenna is
with Michael Curran at 19. Cain Curley is co-driving Gary
McPhillips at No.21 and Lisa Roe with Paddy O'Reilly at 28.
Making up the top 10 is Tom Randles at No.5. It is
good to see Tom back in his rebuilt Escort following last
year's Killarney Historic accident. Aidan Walsh is at
6, Aidan one of the favourites to take the Top Part West
Coast Champion's title. Today is the last round.
Other possible winners of the title today include John
Kearney and John Devine. Patrick Elliott is the actual
points leader. He is not competing today, so in theory
if the other 3 do not finish he could perhaps still take the
title.
Sean Lyons, John Kearney, Peter Clifford and Mike Quinn make
up the top 10. Diarmuid Keohane is at 11 and Pat Barry
at 12. This is Kerryman Pat's last single stage as a
single man - he is getting married to Niamh next Saturday in
Tralee, and according to rally press officer Sean Moriarty
everyone is invited to the celebrations. More news after
first proper timed run: BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON
www.rallynews.net
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