UNOFFICIAL NAT. L/BOARD AFTER STAGE 14 – FINAL STAGE
1st (12) Declan Gallagher/Ryan Moore (Starlet rwd) 1.56.35.1
2nd (28) Eugene Meegan/Sarah Whelan (BMW M1) 1.58.27.6
3rd (29) Enda O`Brien/John Butler (Escort) 1.58.41.3
4th (15) Phil Collins/Adrian Deasy (Escort) 1.59.50.4
5th (46) Donal O`Brien/Stephen Quinn (Escort) 2.01.18.0
6th (22) Vincent McSweeney/Damien Fleming (Civic) 2.02.24.3
Ross Marshall 2.03.31.2 James Fitzgerald 2.06.30.3 Tadhg O´Sullivan 2.06.54.7 William Creighton 2.07.21.1
This has been a marvellous Cork 20 Rally, this year sponsored by AceSigns. It has also been a fabulous season for winner Donagh Kelly, this time co-driven by Conor Foley, in his Focus WRC. Daragh O`Riordan/Tony McDaid led the rally initially in their Fiesta WRC but were overhauled by Donagh Kelly before the Saturday lunch halt. Through the Saturday afternoon stages and into this morning Donagh held a narrow lead, he kept his cool and eventually went on to win conclusively when 4 times Cork 20 winner Daragh O`Riordan crashed out. This is the icing on the cake for Donagh Kelly and cements his Clonakilty Blackpudding Tarmac Champion crown. Three times British Rally Champion Keith Cronin made a terrific come back this weekend to take 2nd place. Shane Buckley was co-driving in Keith`s Citroen DS3 R5. This is the type of car that will be the front runner in next year`s Tarmac Championship. Melvyn Evans/Mark Glennerster came into 3rd place in their Subaru WRC, a good result for the Welshman.
Talking of the future, Melvyn`s son Meirion, brought his little Citroen DS3 R3 into 8th o/a and won his class in the International. In the National Rally 17 year old William Creighton finished 10th and won his class. Rob Duggan, another brilliant young driver, is heading for victory in today`s Junior Rally, and he too is a great pointer for the future. It looks also as if John O`Sullivan is going to take the Junior title in the Tarmac series. There were many category wins on the rally today, and on the Clonakilty Blackpudding Tarmac Championship. Aaron MacHale has won GpN in the series while David Guest was best in GpN today. Ernie Graham will take the Historic championship title although Gareth Lloyd put up a great show this weekend to win the Historic Rally in his Escort. Declan Gallagher and his co driver Ryan Moore were stunningly fast throughout the National Rally this weekend and they take the Modified title on the Tarmac C/ship.
When Donagh Kelly brought his Focus WRC into the final service, he harked back to his car sliding off the road in stage 12 and he said. `We then had to drive like the clappers and I am absolutely delighted to get this win`.
Finally for now very well done to all the Munster Car Club organisers plus many officials from all around the country. Special congratulations to Colman Hegarty and Kevin O`Riordan. Many thanks to everyone who helped and supported our RallyNews on this special weekend in Fermoy where the rally ran on schedule and without a hitch.
BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON & MICHAEL & ZOE PATTERSON www.rallynews.net *Follow RallyNews on Twitter & Facebook @Pacenotes or @Real_RallyNews
