In-Car Rally Night (Cork) - (Fri) 20 Feb 09

Adrian O'Sullivan from Bandon, Co. Cork wins seat with Billy Coleman

Posted: March 10, 2009 4:28 PM

Two time winner of the West Cork Rally Rally Billy Coleman will drive Frank O’Mahonys Metro 6R4 as a 00 car. He will be co-driven by Adrian O’Sullivan from Bandon, the lucky winner of a draw to raise funds for Paul Gallagher who was seriously injured in the Galway International Rally in January.

OVER 300 RALLY AROUND PAUL

Posted: February 25, 2009 5:45 PM

More than 300 people turned up to show both their moral and financial support for Paul Gallagher and his family at the fundraising "in-car" night and auction held at The Commons Inn Hotel in Cork last Friday night (20th of February).

Paul was seriously injured in an accident while competing on the Galway International Rally in January and has a long road ahead of him.

The attendance was made up of Competitors,marshals,photographers,reporters,officials,in fact anyone that has anything to do with any aspect of the sport wanted to do their bit to help their colleague.

The night started with some great in- car clips from some of the top National and International Competitors at home and abroad before moving on to the auction. Over 57 lots of rallying memoribilia went under the hammer which ensured a busy night for auctioneer Hugh McPhilips who made sure he got as much as he could for each item.The lots included free entries from Killarney & Tipperary clubs as well as a Navigators seat in the Loughall stages rally in the superfast Escort Mk 2 of Adrian Hetherington.
There were other class items on offer such as signed drawings of both Billy Coleman and Eugene Donnelly by Donegal artist John Baird which brought great interest from the floor and certainly raised at lot of money at auction.

A number of photographers also made up beautiful montages of various top Irish competitors which also sold well. One unusual item that went under the hammer was the door of Guy Wilkes car used in Wales Rally GB complete with the door panel from the rally and signed by Wilkes himself!

There were Jackets,shirts T shirts,scale models,DVD's,in fact everything you could think of to do with rallying.

Speaking on the success of the event organiser Pat Nolan said:
"This really surpassed everyones expectations.What started out as a night run by the four Cork clubs ended up being supported by clubs and individuals from all over the country and from all aspects of the sport.So many people used the occasion to show their support for Paul and his family and it was quite an overwhelming occasion to say the least. I really can't thank people enough for what they did and how they banded together to make sure the night was a success. I would also like to assure everyone that EVERY cent raised went to the fund as any printing was sponsored by c-print ltd,the food and function room were provided by the Commons Inn and postage,stationary and other costs were covered by the organisers of the night."

A huge 4 ft tx 4 ft picture was at the venue and was signed by everyone in attendance and transported to Paul in the hospital on Saturday.

The night raised €15,500 euro including sales of DVD's provided by RPM in the run up to the event plus another 3542.48 which was collected at the West Coast Rally Championship prizegiving recently,giving a total of €19,042.48.

The good news is that this does NOT include the money from the sale of the tickets for the seat with Billy Coleman in the Metro in the West Cork Rally in March. It is hoped to raise a further €10,000 through this draw.
There are still some of these tickets left and more detaills are available:
Tel +353 87 7466557 / 087 7466557

The Metro Billy will drive in West Cork is being provided and run by Frank O Mahony.

Posted: February 25, 2009 5:41 PM

Photo: Ger Leahy

BILLY COLEMAN TO DRIVE METRO AGAIN TO AID FUND.

Posted: February 15, 2009 10:54 AM

Have you ever wondered what it must have been like to be navigating for Irelands most famous rally driver,Billy Coleman,in the Group B Metro 6R4? Well wonder no more for that's the big prize in a €20 per ticket raffle.
The tickets for the draw will be available at the forthcoming Fundraising night for Paul Gallagher which takes place next Friday night,20th of February in The Commons Inn Hotel,New Mallow Road on the outskirts of Cork City,and will also be on sale at various events around the country for the next few weeks culminating in a draw which will see one lucky winner navigate for Billy on the forthcoming Quality Hotels West Cork Rally doing "00" duties.

There will also be a seat for auction,among other things,on the night which will consist of an In-Car rally night with full stages from top Irish and International Rally drivers as well as the auction,raffles etc.

The seat on offer, an absolute cracker, will be the chance of a lifetime to sit with one of the best Escort Mk 2 drivers in these Islands,Adrian Heatherington,on the Loughall Stages Rally later in the year.

The night is to raise funds for Paul Gallagher,who is in hospital in Dublin having received serious injuries in an accident on the Galway International Rally in January.Speaking about the event,organiser Pat Nolan said:
"The response from everyone since announcing the night has been phenomenal. As well as the two fantastic seats on offer with Billy and Adrian there will be lots more on offer by way of auction but also for sale items and indeed raffle prizes. Items include signed photos and prints,limited edition models,team wear from various teams,DVD's and lot's more.

As I've said before,rallying in Ireland is a very close knit family and it's very heartening to see the total support for Paul and his family at this time. Next friday night would also be an ideal opportunity for the many spectators who follow our sport every weekend and spectate free of charge to give something back to a competitor who has given them so much enjoyment."

The event takes place on next Friday night,20th of February starting at 8.00pm and is guaranteed to be a night to remember. Included in the many competitors who will be attending to show their support will be four times tarmac champion Eugene Donnelly,as well as champion Navigator James O Brien,Paul Nagle,Denis Cronin,Keith Cronin,Frank O Mahoney,Liam McCarthy,Kieran Murphy among others and there's sure to be a few turn up unannounced on the night.

As well as memoribilia donated by individuals for the night prizes have been provided by P&O European Ferries,RPM Motorsport,On the Limit Motorsports and countless others

So don't miss your opportuntiy to meet the heroes of Irish Rallying,see some fantastic in-car footage maybe win the odd prize and who knows,maybe end up navigating for Billy Coleman or Adrian Heatherington,not to mention doing your bit in the process to help out one of our own.

Everyone is more than welcome to attend.

Paul Gallagher Video Clips

Posted: February 8, 2009 9:19 PM

EUGENE DONNELLY FOR CORK FUNDRAISER

Posted: February 6, 2009 1:49 PM

Eugene Donnelly,4 time Irish Tarmac Rally Champion,will attend a fund raising In-Car Rally night in The Commons Inn Hotel,on the New Mallow Road on the outskirts of Cork City on the 20th of February 2009 at 8.00pm.

The night will involve showing full in-car camera rally stages from the top Irish and International drivers at their very best,as well as some footage from the 80's & 90's.

The idea behind the night is to raise funds for Paul Gallagher,who was seriously injured in an accident on the recent Galway International Rally,and is currently being treated in the Mater Hospital in Dublin.

Event organiser ,Pat Nolan,said "Motorsport in Ireland is a very close knit family and even though Paul hails from Donegal the four Cork Motor Clubs,namely Cork Motor Club,Munster Car Club,Imokilly Car Club and Skibbereen and district car club felt they wanted to do something to show support for their colleague.This fund raising night is the upshot."

As well as the lined up entertainment there will be raffles and an Auction of motorsport memoribilia as well as a few items for sale.
100% of the proceeds from the night will go directly to the fund as the Hotel have kindly offered to provide the function room and finger food free of charge on the night.

Rally clips from Frank Kelly,Seamus O Connell,Keith Cronin,Denis Cronin, Eugene Donnelly and a host of other top Irish Competitors will be on show alongside clips from the late great Colin McRae and countless others.

As well as getting permission from the above people to use their clips both RPM Motorsport and On-The-Limit sports have also been incredibly generous and fully supportive of the function.

For further details,or if you wish to be involved or donate spot prizes etc you can do so by
Tel: 087 7466557 / +353 87 7466557 or
email patnolan4wd@ireland.com