Donagh Kelly & Conor Foley have won the 2019 Four Seasons Hotel Monaghan Stages Rally. The Donegal/Monaghan pairing made it back to back wins in Monaghan and as in 2018, they came from behind to do so. After nine stages, the winning duo held off Josh Moffett/Andy Hayes by just 5.7 seconds to take their second Monaghan win. Moffett had been the early pacesetter but a stage six puncture would ultimately cost him the event despite a brave comeback on the final loop. National Championship perennials Roy White/James O’Brien secured 3rd place in their Fiesta a further 27 seconds behind.
Despite the overcast morning, huge crowds lined the route as the crews prepared for the opening stage at Hollywood. Tyre choice was critical as the stage conditions were constantly changing. Josh Moffett/Andy Hayes stopped the clocks with a fastest time, 3.8 seconds up on Donagh Kelly/Conor Foley. The latter were reacclimatising to their Ford Focus WRC which they last drove on the 2018 Donegal International. Roy White slotted into an early 3rd place while Sam Moffett/James Fulton were pushing their R5 Fiesta to the maximum to hold 4th while Declan & Brian Boyle were getting up to speed after a big off on last weekend’s Easter Stages.
Moffett/Hayes continued to set the pace, particularly on the technical third stage where they took 10 seconds off Kelly, even though he felt his tyres going off. Kelly/Foley were a solid 2nd with White/O’Brien 6 seconds further back. Boyle had leapfrogged Moffett for 4th with the top six completed by Darren Gass & Enda Sherry in their R5 Fiesta. Peadar Hurson/Damien Connolly were 7th despite an overshoot and a poor tyre choice while Joe McGonigle/Ciaran Geaney complained of a misfire.
Kevin Eves/Chris Melly from Donegal were setting the two wheel drive pace in their Toyota Corolla. Class 13 competitors David Moffett/Martin Connolly and Raymond Conlon/Damien Fleming were in close contention followed by another Donegal crew of JF Shovelin/Emmet Brosnan. In Group N, Shane Maguire/Anthony Nestor led after the first stage retirement of chief rivals Michael Boyle/Dermot McCafferty.
Moffett and Kelly exchanged seconds on stage four and five but the event would be turned on its head when Moffett punctured on stage six. Josh was disconsolate as he was at odds to explain how he got the puncture. He now trailed Kelly by 15 seconds with three stages to go. White was now just 0.2 seconds behind in 3rd place and was trouble free. Boyle, Moffett and Gass maintained positions. Hurson dropped out of the top 10 after a spin and the lack of a reverse gear cost several minutes. Eves and Maguire maintained their category leads.
On the final loop, Moffett put in a storming drive and reduced the deficit to 5.3 seconds going into the final stage. Kelly put the foot down on the final 16km test and bested Moffett by 0.4 of a second to secure the win by 5.7 seconds. White finished a trouble free third with Boyle, Sam Moffett and Gass rounding off the top six. McGonigle claimed 7th in his Mini with Eves a fine 8th continuing his National dominance of the two wheel drive category. The local team of Michael Carbin/Conor Mohan were the first all-Monaghan crew home in 9th place in their Lancer with Hurson/Connolly recovering to 10th place.
Shane Maguire/Anthony Nestor took another home win in Group N despite a day long misfire. Wexford’s Thomas O’Rourke was their nearest challenger. The junior category was won by Jack Brunton/Darragh Kelly with Aaron & Ben McIntyre from Cootehill winning the Junior Cup.
As always, the Monaghan Stages Rally attracted a capacity local entry who tasted various successes throughout the various classes. Craig McPhillips/Anthony McDonald made their stages debut and finished 3rd in class 1. Pakie Duffy/Evin Hughes tasted success in class 3 in their Civic. Patrick Fitzpatrick/James McEneaney finished 3rd in the competitive class 9. Mark Sheridan guided Brendan O’Reilly to 4th in the same class with Stefan McCann/Marco Lennon 8th in class 9.
Mickey Brennan/Paddy McCague took victory in class 10 from John & Niall Kelly. Padraig Connolly/Padraig Corrigan, Ryan Treanor/Robert Graham and Peter Farrell/Shane Farrell filled places 4th to 6th in class. Martin McPhillips/Ciaran Tynan took victory in class 11R after a fantastic battle with Mark Wedlock, who they edged out by just 0.8 seconds for the class win. Jack McKenna made his driving debut with the experienced Emmet Sherry navigating. They took 4th in class 11R. Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden finished back in 6th class after problems with Gary McKenna/Calum Maguire just behind.
Gregory McQuillan guided Justin Smyth to 3rd in class 12. Sean McCaul/Frank Clerkin were 10th in class with Kevin Treanor guiding Patrick Corey to 11th in class. David Moffett/Martin Connolly were victorious in class 13 and 2nd two wheel drive car home. Gary Cassidy/Paul Kelly finished 3rd in class on their home rally. Barry McKenna/Darren O’Brien were 9th in class 13.
Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips finished 4th in class 14. Declan McKenna guided Bryan Jardine to 9th in class with Paddy O’Reilly/Rodney Hughes in 10th. Brendan McAree/James Hendry won class 19 in their Porsche.
Many crews fell foul of the changing conditions or mechanical woes. These included Stephen Wright/Stephen Thornton, Raymond Conlon/Damien Fleming, Johno Doogan/Ciaran Marron, Martin Swinburne/Gretchen Fegan, Jack Maguire/Keith McConnon, Vincent McAree/David McCrudden, Martin Tynan/Declan Tynan, Derek Mackarel/Conor Boylan and Patrick Connolly/Dylan Lennon.
At the Gala Prizegiving, COC Eoghan Corr thanked Frank McKenna and his team at the Four Seasons Hotel for hosting the event which was once again a tremendous success. The event was well received by competitors who praised the stages and organisation of the event. Eoghan extended thanks to Monaghan County Council, Monaghan Municipal District, An Garda Siochana and the Civil Defence personnel for their valuable assistance. A special word of thanks goes to the residents along the route for their welcome, co-operation and support. The rally also would not have run without the work of over 200 volunteers and marshals, to whom the organisers are most grateful.
On The Limit Sports TV Program on Line
Posted: October 28, 2019 7:29 AM
KELLY/FOLEY WITHSTAND MOFFETT/HAYES CHALLENGE TO WIN MONAGHAN RALLY - Report courtesy of Triton Showers - proud sponsors of the Irish National Rally Championship
Posted: October 28, 2019 7:27 AM
In a dramatic final loop Donegal’s Donagh Kelly and his Monaghan co-driver in a Ford Focus WRC withstood the strong challenge of Monaghan’s Josh Moffett (Ford Fiesta WRC) and Wexford’s Andy Hayes to win the Monaghan Rally, round three of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship by a margin of 5.7 seconds.
Clonmel’s Roy White and his Cork co-driver James O’Brien (Fiesta WRC) were 27.1 seconds further behind in third.
On the 11.76km opening stage Josh Moffett was 3.8 seconds ahead of last year’s Monaghan winner Donagh Kelly (Ford Focus WRC) with Roy Whyte’s Fiesta 3.6 further behind and 0.7 of a second ahead of the Fiesta R5 of Sam Moffett followed by Declan Boyle’s Fiesta WRC, 0.6 of a second further adrift in sixth.
Josh Moffett was also quickest on the second stage and then on the very technical third stage - the longest of the rally at 16.08 kilometres - he took total command with a stage time that was over seven seconds better than any of his rivals.
At the Monaghan service, Josh Moffett led Kelly by 15.5 seconds with White another 6.7 seconds in arrears. The rally leader opined, “Yes I really liked that last stage (S.S. 3) it’s very technical, but the tyres went off, they were too soft.” Second placed Kelly, who had no launch control for the opening stage, commented that he enjoyed the opening loop. White, in third, was pleased with his performance and reckoned that the tyres worked really well.
A cautious Declan Boyle (Fiesta WRC) was fourth followed by Sam Moffett, who reckoned his Fiesta R5 was down on power. Sixth placed Darren Gass (Skoda Fabia R5) lost time having opted for a soft compound tyre. Former national champion Peadar Hurson overshot on the third stage, hit a bale that did some cosmetic damage to the left front left wing of his Ford Fiesta WRC, he too was on the wrong tyres. Donegal’s Joe McGonigle’s Mini WRC suffered a misfire on all three stages but he was confident of sorting the issue at the service park.
The top ten was completed by the Toyota Corolla of top two-wheel drive exponent Donegal’s Kevin Eves and the Ford Focus WRC of Welshman Hugh Hunter, who changed the settings for the second stage but reverted to the original settings for the third stage where he had issues with the steering mechanism. Local driver Shane Maguire led Motorsport Safety Team Group N category but his Mitsubishi was overheating and also had a misfire, he led the similar car of Wexford’s Tomas O’Rourke by 14.8 seconds with Tyrone’s Gary Cairns (Mitsubishi EvoX) 27.6 seconds further behind in third.
There was little between Josh Moffett and Kelly through stages four and five, however, on S.S. 6, Moffett’s Fiesta WRC suffered a rear left wheel puncture and lost considerable time as Kelly arrived at the final service as rally leader - 15.9 seconds ahead of Moffett. The new rally leader reckoned he should have been on a softer tyre but was quite content as he continued to build his pace on what was his first time in the car since last year’s Donegal International Rally. A disconsolate Moffett was at odds to explain the circumstances of the puncture.
Meanwhile, White - just two tenths of a second behind in third - was untroubled as
Boyle occupied fourth but was concerned about a differential problem. Sam Moffett’s Fiesta R5 benefitted from a change of spark plugs and a new coil pack.
Darren Gass (Skoda Fabia R5) was in sixth place with Eves continuing to rule the two-wheel drive category whilst holding an impressive seventh in general classification. The top ten was completed by Declan McCrory (SubarWRC), Joe McGonigle (Mini WRC) and the Ford Focus WRC of Hugh Hunter.
Peadar Hurson (Ford Fiesta WRC) slipped to thirteenth when he spun at a hairpin and with no reverse gear and no spectators to help him, took considerable time to get back on track.
Despite a continuing misfire, Shane Maguire (Mitsubishi) continued to lead the Motorsport Safety Team Group N category.
A charging Josh Moffett took 5.8 seconds from Kelly on S.S. 7 to cut the deficit to 10.1 seconds. The margin was reduced to 5.3 seconds when Josh Moffett punched in the best time on the penultimate stage. However, Kelly withstood the challenge and was actually quickest on the stage to claim the additional Triton bonus point.
The top six remained unchanged with Boyle, Sam Moffett and Gass. Joe McGonigle (Mini WRC) backed off on the final loop and finished seventh.
Eves won the two-wheel drive category as local driver Michael Carbin (Mitsubishi) and Hurson completed the top ten, the latter spun again at the same location as he did on S.S. 6.
Shane Maguire and co-driver Anthony Nestor (Mitsubishi) won Motorsport Safety Team Group N category.
The 2019 Four Seasons Hotel Monaghan Stages Rally is almost here! With an impressive entry of 160 crews (plus reserves!), the event has underlined its credentials as one of the most attractive events on the motorsport calendar. Competitors are travelling from far and wide including from overseas. The rally is boosted by being a round of the Triton National Rally Championship as well as the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship. The event wouldn’t exist without the support of sponsors, most notably The Four Seasons Hotel who act as title sponsor and Rally HQ. We thank Frank McKenna and his team for taking us on board again.
Eoghan Corr takes on the mantle of COC for the first time and along with his dedicated team have laid out three challenging technical stages which will be repeated three times. The stages will be a mix of fast flowing roads and tighter technical sections which appeal to the tastes of all. Centralised service will again be held in the Courthouse Car Park. First car is due back at The Four Seasons at 5.20pm where the 2019 winner will be crowned!
The event has been dominated by local drivers with only three non-Monaghan drivers tasting success in the last 20 years. One of these is 2018 winner Donagh Kelly and the Donegal man is set to defend his crown with his navigator Conor Foley. The pair head the entry list in the same Ford Focus with which they won last year.
The Moffett brothers, Sam & Josh start at 2 and 3 respectively. Between them, they have won five consecutive events from 2013 until 2017. Both are expected to compete in WRC Fiestas. Josh has already won the opening two rounds of the 2019 National Rally Championship as he bids to add the last remaining title in Ireland to his resume. James Fulton is sitting with Sam while Andy Hayes is again sitting with Josh.
Another brace of WRC Fiestas are at 4 and 5. Reigning National Champion Declan Boyle is at 4 while another former champion, Roy White is at 5. Both crews are always in the thick of the battle in the National Championship. 7 time winner Niall Maguire starts at 6 with James O’Reilly alongside. Niall once again competes in his Subaru WRC and is always in the reckoning on his home event.
The top 10 is completed by Joe McGonigle (Mini WRC), Peader Hurson (Fiesta WRC), Darren Gass (Skoda Fabia R5) and Stephen Wright (Fiesta R5). All are capable of challenging for podium positions on their day.
The two wheel drive category is once again expected to be hotly contested with Donegal man Kevin Eves in his Corolla leading the way. Jonathan Pringle, Damien Toner, Stuart Darcy, John Bonner, Damien Gallagher and Johno Doogan start right behind all in Escorts. Don’t discount David Moffett or Johnny Jordan from embarrassing the class 14 men in their class 13 Starlets as David showed last year! There are also a few crews on the reserve list who could make an impression if they get in. These include Adrian Hetherington, James Stafford and Damien Tourish.
Michael Boyle heads the Group N entry from Shane Maguire. Interestingly they are the sons of the drivers in cars 4 and 6. The junior category entry is headed by David Kelly in his Starlet. There is expected to be a huge battle in the classes as crews fight for local honours and precious championship points.
Please support our event sponsors by purchasing a rally programme which is available from a number of local outlets including the Four Seasons Hotel.
MOFFETT BROTHERS AIMING FOR VICTORY IN MONAGHAN RALLY - Preview courtesy of Triton Showers - proud sponsors of the Irish National Rally Championship
Posted: April 24, 2019 7:44 AM
Rivalry is nothing new in the Triton Showers National Rally Championship but it takes on an extra dimension this weekend on round three of the series, the Four Seasons Hotel Monaghan Rally.
The capacity entry has a strong local flavour that features the Moffett brothers Sam and Josh, who between them have won the rally every year since 2013, albeit with the exception of last year when Donegal’s Donagh Kelly (Ford Focus WRC) took the laurels. But even then there was a local link as Kelly was co-driven by Monaghan’s Conor Foley.
The Moffett duo will have much to discuss over breakfast and other breaks this week ahead of Sunday’s nine stage encounter where Josh seeks his third successive win of this season’s Triton campaign and Sam, who won the Triton series in 2017, seeks a fourth win on his home event. Indeed, last year (driving his Fiesta R5) he had a great battle with Kelly and only lost by 1.8 seconds
The brothers have an intriguing sibling rivalry but they have an agreement that they rotate the use of their Fiesta WRC on an annual basis.
On Sunday and based on that plan, it’s Sam’s time to use the more powerful Fiesta WRC but the conundrum facing Josh is that he wants the best possible opportunity to win the rally and take maximum points for the third time.
Meanwhile, Donegal driver Donagh Kelly has a dual reason for competing. An extremely busy work schedule has meant few outings for the Kelly/Foley combination, however, along with providing Foley with another opportunity to win his home event, it is also seat time for both before they compete in the Donegal International Rally later in the year when they will also campaign the very successful Ford Focus WRC as opposed to their Skoda Fabia R5.
Sam and Josh are next off the start line and will be followed by triple National Rally champion Donegal’s Declan Boyle (Ford Fiesta WRC), who has been Josh’s main rival on both rounds of this year’s Triton series. With the series based on the best seven from eight events Declan has a tough task on this occasion as he tries to stop the Moffett express.
Another of the title contenders is Clonmel’s Roy White (Ford Fiesta WRC), a national winner in 2016, he occupies the number five berth in Monaghan and will be determined to match the pace of his Triton rivals.
Ballinode’s Niall Maguire (Subaru WRC) knows what its like to win on home ground, a multiple winner, his last success was in 2010. He remains a great stalwart of the National series and while he has lost some of that outright pace, he still enjoys competing, particularly on his local event.
The top ten is completed by Donegal’s Joe McGonigle (Mini WRC), Warrenpoint’s Peadar Hurson (Ford Fiesta WRC), Armagh’s Darren Gass (Skoda Fabia R5) and another local driver Stephen Wright (Ford Fiesta R5).
Hurson has local co-driver Damien Connolly calling the notes and cannot be ruled out of the victory equation provided their Fiesta WRC is trouble free.
Gass has enlisted the services of another local co-driver Enda Sherry. Business commitments have meant few outings for Stephen Wright and it may take a few stages to get to the pace of the regulars.
Just outside the top ten are national championship title sponsor Kevin Barrett in his Triton backed Subaru WRC, Donegal’s PJ McDermott also in a Subaru WRC and Welshman Hugh Hunter (Ford Focus WRC).
The Modified entry is headed by Donegal’s Kevin Eves (Toyota Corolla) with Cavan’s Jonny Pringle, Armagh’s Damian Toner and the Donegal trio of Stuart Darcy, John Bonner and Damien Gallagher and local ace Johnno Doogan, all in Ford Escorts providing ample opposition. Wexford’s James Stafford (Darrian) is amongst the reserves.
Mitsubishi Evo IX pair of Donegal’s Michael Boyle and Ballinode’s Shane Maguire are the principals in Motorsport Safety Team Group N category that also includes the similar car of Wexford’s Tomas O’Rourke.
Maynooth’s Paul Barrett competes in his Ford Fiesta R5 as he continues to acclimatise to his new surroundings.
Elsewhere, local interest is plentiful with David Moffett (Toyota Starlet), Mickey Conlon (Ford Escort), Michael Carbin (Mitsubishi EvoVIII) and Seamus Connolly (Toyota Corolla) all aiming to impress.
No Driver / Co-Driver (CAR) [CLASS]
1 Donagh Kelly / Conor Foley (Ford Focus WRC) [7]
2 Sam Moffett / James Fulton (Ford Fiesta) [7]
3 Josh Moffett / Andy Hayes (Ford Fiesta WRC) [7]
4 Declan Boyle / Brian Boyle (Ford Fiesta WRC) [7]
5 Roy White / James O'Brien (Ford Fiesta WRC) [7]
6 Niall Maguire / James O'Reilly (Subaru Impreza S12B) [7]
7 Joseph McGonigle / Ciaran Gearty (MINI WRC) [7]
8 Peadar Hurson / Damien Connolly (Ford Fiesta WRC) [7]
9 Darren Gass / Enda Sherry (Skoda Fabia R5) [5]
10 Stephen Wright / Stephen Thornton (Ford Fiesta R5) [5]
11 Kevin Barrett / Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza S14) [7]
12 PJ McDermott / Niall Burns (Subaru Impreza S12) [7]
14 Hugh Hunter / Rob Fagg (Ford Focus WRC) [15]
15 Kevin Eves / Chris Melly (Toyota Corolla) [14]
16 Jonathan Pringle / Paul Sheridan (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
17 Damian Toner / Denver Rafferty (Toyota Corolla) [14]
18 Stuart Darcy / JJ Cremin (Toyota Corolla) [14]
19 John Bonner / John McCafferty (Toyota Corolla) [14]
20 Damien Gallagher / James McNulty (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
21 Johno Doogan / Ciaran Marron (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
22 JF Shovelin / Emmet Brosnan (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
23 Declan McCrory / Stephen O'Hanlon (Subaru Impreza S12) [7]
24 Gareth Sayers / Gareth Gilchrist (Subaru Impreza S9) [7]
25 Paul Barrett/Declan Tumilty (Ford Fiesta R5) [5]
26 Michael Boyle / Dermot McCafferty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
27 Shane Maguire / Donal Balfe (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
28 David Moffett / Martin Connolly (Toyota Starlet) [13]
29 Johnny Jordan / Paddy McCrudden (Toyota Starlet) [13]
30 Paul Purtill / Raymond Scott (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
31 Mickey Conlon / Ciaran McPhillips (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
32 Jason McSweeney / Liam Brennan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [20]
33 Michael Carbin / Conor Mohan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [20]
34 Aaron McLoughlin / Darren Curran (Ford Fiesta) [20]
35 Daniel Conaghan / Terence Magee (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
36 Seamus Connolly / Gary McCrudden (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
37 Martin Swinburne / Gretchen Fegan (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
38 Jason Black / Karl Egan (Toyota Starlet) [11R]
39 Gary McNamee / Brian Brady (Honda Civic) [11F]
40 Darren O'Brien / Eamonn Creedon (Honda Civic) [13]
41 Cormac Phelan / Katja Auhl (Honda Civic) [13]
42 Brian Lavelle / Shane Corcoran (Honda Civic) [11F]
43 David Armstrong / Ashley Trimble (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
44 Tom Holton / Ger Leech (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) [20]
45 Darren McKelvey / Dean O'Sullivan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [20]
46 Lee Hastings / Alistair Wyllie (Subaru Impreza) [20]
47 Jack Maguire / Keith McConnon (Ford Fiesta) [20]
48 Tomas O'Rourke / Tomas Scallon (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
49 Gary Cairns / Mark Preston (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) [4]
50 Conor Curley / Nigel Frazer (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
51 Stephen Greaney / John Conneely (Ford Escort) [14]
52 Cathal Mulgrew / Johnny Baird (Ford Escort) [13]
53 Tommy O'Connell / Thomas Wedlock (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
54 Barry Morris / Declan Campbell (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
55 Gary Cassidy / Paul Kelly (Honda Civic) [13]
56 Vincent McAree / David McCrudden (Ford Escort) [13]
57 Barry McKenna / James McCarville (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
58 Jim McKenna / Conor Hagan (Talbot Sunbeam) []
59 Brian Armstrong / Aodhan Gallagher (Ford Escort MkII) [12]
60 Justin Smyth / Gregory McQuillan (Ford Escort) [12]
61 James Cassidy / Domhnall Lennon (Ford Escort MkII) [12]
62 Eamon McGuigan / Jane Collins (Ford Escort) [12]
63 Vincent Collins / Fintan Kilroe (Ford Escort) [12]
64 Raymond Johnston / TBA (Ford Escort) [12]
65 Martin McPhillips / Ciaran Tynan (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
66 Mark Wedlock / Lois Branyan (Ford Escort MkII) [11R]
67 Declan Hall / Chrissy Corr (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
68 Darragh Kelly / Gerry Hughes (Ford Escort) [11R]
69 Shane Cullen Conor O'Loan (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
70 Sean Sharkey / Martin Byrne (Ford Fiesta) [20]
71 Michael McDaid / Daire Maguire (Ford Escort MkII) [12]
72 Quentin Park / George Tinsley (Ford Escort MkII) [12]
73 Lloyd Hutchinson / Willie Fitzpatrick (Austin Mini Cooper S) [9]
74 Martin Tynan / Declan Tynan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) [15]
75 Derek Mackarel / Conor Boylan (Honda Civic) [11F]
76 Jason Tuthill / Ben Teggart (Ford Escort) [13]
77 Adrian Cannon / Micheal O'Donnell (Honda Civic) [3]
78 Joe MacHugh / Dermot MacHugh (Peugeot 205) [13]
79 John Warren / Ruthann O'Connor (Toyota Corolla) [13]
80 Bryan Jardine / Declan McKenna (Ford Escort MkII) [14]
81 Gareth Black / Connor Dunlop (Toyota Starlet) [13]
82 Colin O'Rourke / Shane Gilhooly (Toyota Starlet) [13]
83 Stephen Faughnan / Amy Faughnan (Ford Escort MkII) [11R]
84 Shaun Doherty /Christopher Harley (Ford Escort) [11R]
85 Paul Carron / Sean Brunton (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
86 Tim Flood / Anthony Smith (Ford Escort MkII) [11R]
87 Jack McKenna / Emmet Sherry (Ford Escort MkII) [11R]
88 Mickey Brennan /Paddy McCague (Ford Escort MkII) [10]
89 John Kelly / Niall Kelly (Toyota Corolla) [10]
90 Shane Carr / Ciaran Carr (Vauxhall Nova) [10]
91 Brendan O'Reilly / TBA (Ford Escort) [9]
92 Seamus McDaid / Tim Duggan (Ford Escort) []
93 Rory Thomas / Aidan Thomas (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
94 Shaun Murphy / Damien McKenna (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
95 Kieran O'Kane / Jack Frew (Opel Ascona) [14]
96 Clive McGonigle / Steven Tinney (Ford Escort) [13]
97 John O'Rourke / TBA (Toyota Corolla) [12]
98 Mark Maguire / Eoin Kelly (Honda Civic) [11F]
99 Brian Comiskey / TBA (Toyota Starlet) [20]
100 Colum Tennyson /Owen Magee (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
101 Andrew Stewart / Tony Gallagher (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4) [15]
102 Roy Baldrick / Dermot Friel (Talbot Sunbeam) [13]
103 Gareth Irwin / Justin McCauley (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
104 Gerry McIntyre / Paul Clarke (Toyota Starlet) []
105 Wayne Feely / Darren McCaffrey (Ford Fiesta) [11R]
106 Paddy O'Reilly / TBA (Ford Escort) [14]
107 Patrick Corey / Kevin Treanor (Ford Escort MkII) [12]
108 Philip Hamilton / Joe Comerford (Ford Escort MkII) [12]
109 Colin Currid /Paul Gallagher (Ford Escort MkII) [12]
110 Patrick Connolly / Dylan Lennon (Subaru Impreza) [15]
111 Stephen McGurk / Mark O'Connor (Ford Escort MkII) [13]
112 Brendan McAree / TBA (Porsche 911) [19]
113 Sean McCaul / Frank Clerkin (Ford Escort) [12]
114 Ciaran Phelan / Tony O'Brien (Honda Civic) [11F]
115 Des Lyons / Ashling McArdle (Honda Civic) [11F]
116 Marty McGuigan / Eoin Lennon (Talbot Sunbeam) [10]
117 Christopher Brennan / Martin Hughes (Honda Civic) [11F]
118 Nigel Brennan / Paddy Carvill (Honda Civic) [1]
119 Ryan Brennan / Christopher McMahon (Peugeot 205) [10]
120 Gary McKenna / Gene McDonald (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
121 Niall Curran / Gary Byrne (Honda Civic) [11F]
122 Roger Kennedy / Wendy Blackledge (Peugeot 306) [3]
123 Pakie Duffy / Evin Hughes (Honda Civic) [3]
124 Keith McFadden / Sara McFadden (Renault Clio) [3]
125 Barney Greenan / Paul McPhillips (Ford Escort) [9]
126 Davy Hunt / Gillian Gilmartin (Peugeot 106) [11F]
127 Patrick Fitzpatrick / James McEneaney (Ford Escort MkII) [9]
128 Shay Laheen / Kerri Dempsey (Ford Escort MkII) [9]
129 Hugh Martin Toye / Liam Toye (Honda Civic) [11F]
130 Keith Ewing / Sean Quigley (Honda Civic) [1]
131 Peter Farrell / Shane Farrell (Toyota Corolla) [10]
132 Malcolm Pedlow / John Henderson (BMW 2002 tii) [18]
133 Padraig Connolly / Padraig Corrigan (Peugeot 106) [10]
134 Brendan Friel / Jason McCahill (Nissan Micra) [9]
135 Stefan McCann / Marco Lennon (Honda Civic) [9]
136 Barry Gallagher / Jonathan Jacob (Honda Civic) [11F]
137 Johnny Orr / Wesley Finlay (Honda Civic) [3]
138 Ryan Treanor / Robert Graham (Peugeot 205) [10]
139 Keelan Grogan / TBA (Skoda Fabia R2) [2]
140 Craig McPhillips / Anthony McDonald (Honda Civic) [1]
141 TBA / Paul Tierney (Ford Escort MkI) [18]
RESERVES (Main Field)
Adrian Hetherington / Ronan O'Neill
Peter Wilson / John McCarty
Stuart Rankin Mickey Joe Brown
Josh Harris /TBA
Raymond Conlon /Damien Fleming
Niall Devine / Liam McIntyre
James Stafford / Jeff Case
Johnny Orr / Wesley Finlay
Liam Doherty / Dermot McGettigan
Brendan Cumiskey / Ronan O'Kane
Cathal Sheridan / Peter Deery
Frank Wray / Joe McNulty
Damian Tourish / Domhnall McAlaney
Michael Hamilton / Stephen Joyce
Paddy McDaid / Timmy Lunn
Michael Dunlop / Mac Kierans
Juniors
J1 David Kelly / Kenny Bustard (Toyota Starlet) [16]
J2 Aaron McIntyre / Ben McIntyre (Toyota Starlet) [16]
J3 Darragh McNern / Trevor Graham (Toyota Corolla) [16]
J4 Conor Murphy / Keith McCarthy (Honda Civic) [16]
J5 Johnny Armstrong / Philly Mitchell (C2) [16]
J6 Nigel Roche / Gavin Downey (Honda Civic) [16]
J7 Jenna McCann / John McCabe (Ford Fiesta R2) [16]
J8 Stephen Reynolds / Derek McCarthy (Honda Civic) [16]
J9 Ryan Moore / Christopher Moffit (Honda Civic) [16]
J10 Shane O'Donnell / John Wallace (Honda Civic) [16]
J11 Jack Brunton / Daragh Kelly (Honda Civic) [16]
J12 Sean Brogan / Oisin Crawford (Honda Civic) [16]
J14 Adam Rankin / Liam McGlynn (Toyota Corolla) [16]
J15 Gavin Russell / Daniel Callaghan (Honda Civic) [16]
J16 Ciaran Maguire / Paul Maguire (Honda Civic) [16]
J17 Shane McFadden / Eimear McFadden (Honda Civic) [16]
J18 Aine Phelan / Gavin Henry (Honda Civic) [16]
RESERVES (Juniors)
Jake Lennon / TBA (Honda Civic) [16]
Sean McConnell / Dwayne Quigley (Honda Civic) [16]
Excitement Builds for Stages Rally
Posted: April 18, 2019 6:32 AM
The country roads of Monaghan are set to come alive with the sound of Rally Cars as there is just over a week to go until the 2019 Four Seasons Hotel Monaghan Stages Rally! The event is expected to attract a capacity entry of over 140 cars to contest the nine stage event. Eoghan Corr takes on the mantle of COC for the first time and along with his dedicated team they are putting the finishing touches to the event.
The event has been subject to eight months of hard work by the organising team and is set for Sunday April 28th. The Four Seasons Hotel in Monaghan town returns as title sponsor for a third successive year. We thank Frank McKenna and his team for taking us on board again. This year we welcome the top contenders in the Triton National Rally Championship as well as crews contesting the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship. The event is also a round of the club Trader’s Trophy Championship.
The event gets underway on Saturday when crews check their pacenotes and complete mechanical scrutiny at McElvaney’s garage on the Dublin Road. The first car is due to leave the Four Seasons Hotel at 10.00am Sunday Morning. The three stages are in the Ballinode, Newbliss, Scotshouse & Ardaghy areas.
Stage 1 features some sections last used in 2012 as well as some new sections and should serve as a challenging opening test. Stage 2 uses some sections last used in 2017 with Stage 3 incorporating roads used on various events over the year. We extend our thanks to the residents along the route for their continued support of the event. Centralised service will take place in the Courthouse Car Park. The loop will be completed three times before returning to the Four Seasons where the winner of the 2019 Monaghan Stages Rally will be crowned!
The event has been dominated by local drivers with only three non-Monaghan drivers tasting success in the last 20 years. One of these is 2018 winner Donagh Kelly and the Donegal man is set to defend his crown with his navigator Conor Foley. A full event preview will be released next week.
Safety Message
Clerk of the Course Eoghan Corr has made a special appeal to all concerned to think safety at all times. The Event Safety Plan has been compiled meticulously. Marshals, Stage Commanders and Officials have been trained accordingly. What is required is that spectators play their part to ensure the safe running of the event. All are asked to ‘keep the race in its place’ and drive with care to and from the stages. Take time to read the Spectator Safety Notice in the rally programme. Safety is everyone’s business and there is one common ingredient that is essential ‘common sense’. Spectators are asked to follow the instructions of the marshals and officials, who are working for your safety. Please also respect private property and bring your litter home.
Four Seasons Hotel Monaghan Stages Rally 2019 Launch night Friday April 5th at 8pm. A fantastic night where you can meet some of the top drivers with their cars, see some classic and competition films and get into the swing of the stages.
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