Rally leader Declan Boyle was fastest through stage 3, by just 0.1s from Garry Jennings with Donagh Kelly 3rd quickest, 3s in arrears. Boyle reported no problems while Garry Jennings looked relieved to be on the pace after two lacklustre times to start. Garry admitted that it was really down to himself, and he has at last wakened up! Donagh Kelly, who was fastest on stage 3, reported a good run in stage 3 but could not match the Subarus in front.
Interestingly, Dean Raftery was a fraction of a second faster than his Mini WRC team mate Eugene Donnelly through stage 3. Eugene reported no problems. Raftery has now fully recovered his composure following his stage 1 drama when a water pipe came adrift in the Mini WRC engine. In stage 2 Dean was being cautious, keeping a careful eye on gauges and warning lights, but it all came good in SS3, and it is a case of what might have been! Dean is several minutes behind the leaders in overall terms. Monaghan brothers Sam & Josh Moffett were less than 2s apart through stage 3. Josh is really getting to grips with the ex Breen Fiesta WRC.
In the National section Declan Gallagher was 3s faster than Brian Brogan through SS3. Brian had picked a harder compound tyre for that loop but he reckoned it was not such a good idea. Declan Gallagher discovered that his Starlet cam belt was slightly frayed (is it any fecking wonder?!!), and that was being changed here at service.
Some further stories: Jonny Greer is getting to grips with his new Citroen DS3 R5 and set a very good time through stage 3 and is now closing in on class 4 leader Brendan Cumiskey in his new Impreza. Pauric Duffy continues to lead class 5 and is 7th o/a. Joe McGonigle is losing a little bit of ground and is now 14s behind Greer. Joe`s S2000 lacking top speed on these fast stages. Brian O`Keefe is 2nd in Class 4, Aaron MacHale 3rd and Stephen Hernon 4th. Gus Kearney in the Sepam Lancer is 5th. Kevin Eves is having another great run in his Peugeot 208 and is leading class 2. The visiting German crew Kai Dieter Kolle & Bianca Hutzfeldt are thoroughly enjoying these Galway stages in their immaculate Porsche Carrera 911. They are 13th o/a in the National, just ahead of Jonathan Folan in his Subaru.
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