MOFFETT/HAYES LEAD THE WAY IN LYONS OF LIMERICK CIRCUIT OF MUNSTER - Report courtesy of Triton Showers - proud sponsors of the Irish National Rally Championship
Posted: October 28, 2019 7:47 AM
Taking the lead on the third stage Monaghan’s Josh Moffett (Ford Fiesta WRC) and his Wexford co-driver Andy Hayes won the Lyons of Limerick Circuit of Munster Rally, round four of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship. They finished 21.1 seconds ahead of Donegal cousins Declan and Brian Boyle. Clonmel’s Roy White and his Cork co-driver James O’Brien were 24.2 seconds further behind to complete an all Ford Fiesta WRC top three. Early leaders Donegal’s Donagh Kelly and Monaghan’s Conor Foley retired their Ford Focus WRC with a broken throttle spring on the seventh stage.
Kelly was quickest through the opening stage - 4.8 seconds ahead of Moffett, who had gear issues with Boyle 3.6 seconds further behind. Boyle was best on the second stage as Kelly continued to lead Moffett by 6.1 seconds with Boyle closing to within 1.8 seconds of second spot. The stage was curtailed when Donegal’s Declan Gallagher crashed his Proton Iriz R5. On the longest stage of the rally Moffett set the fastest time to move into a 4.8 second lead over Kelly, who reckoned that while his tyre selection was correct for the first two stages, they were not suited the third stage.
Third placed Boyle reckoned he could have done with a harder compound tyre while the suspension was a little too hard.
Fourth placed Roy White (Ford Fiesta WRC) was 19.4 seconds off top spot and remarked that he had a major moment on the third stage when his Fiesta WRC went sideways into a hedge, luckily, it was unscathed. He added he was a trifle too cautious on the opening pair of stages.
Cathan McCourt (Subaru WRC) had a slipping clutch and opted not to use the launch control for the second stage. Hugh Hunter (Ford Focus WRC) was sixth and while Kevin Eves (Toyota Corolla) was seventh and led the two-wheel drive category, he withdrew at the service park as he was concerned about an oil problem.
Stephen Wright (Fiesta R5), Mel Evans (Skoda Fabia R5) and Donegal’s Paul Reid (Ford Escort) rounded out the top ten. In Group N, Tyrone’s Niall Devine (Mitsubishi) was untroubled and led the similar car of Michael Boyle by 10.8 seconds, the latter admitted he made a cautious start and his tyre selection was incorrect.
Out on the second loop of stages Boyle, having softened the suspension and picking a harder tyre, set the best times on all three stages to share second with Kelly and close to within four seconds of Moffett, who opined that he had no great rhythm, particularly on S.S. 6, the longest of the three stages. Kelly had a clutch problem.
Meanwhile, Roy White was 26.1 seconds further behind in fourth and had a simple answer as to why he wasn’t closer, “I’m not brave enough.” Cathan McCourt had an altercation with a chicane on S.S. 4, he was fifth followed by Welsh duo Hugh Hunter (Ford Focus WRC) and Melvyn Evans (Skoda Fabia R5). Stephen Wright was pleased with the increase of his pace through the repeat loop as the final places in the top ten were annexed by Steve Wood, debuting the ex-Daragh O’Riordan right hand drive Ford Fiesta WRC and leader of the two-wheel drive category Donegal’s Paul Reid, who lost time on S.S. 6 with a broken exhaust just a kilometre into the stage.
In Group N, Niall Devine (Mitsubishi) continued to lead as Wexford’s Tomas O’Rourke (Mitsubishi) slotted into second – 11.2 seconds behind and 2.8 seconds ahead of Michael Boyle.
Kelly’s rally ended on Stage seven when the throttle spring broke and jammed open forcing his retirement. Moffett went on to claim his third win of the campaign, he also won the Power Stage. White, McCourt, Hunter and Wright completed the top six.
Donegal’s Paul Reid (Ford Escort) took the two-wheel drive category. In Group N, Tyrone’s Niall Devine (Mitsubishi) took the spoils with Donegal’s Michael Boyle edging out Wexford’s Tomas O’Rourke on the final stage to claim runner-up.
Derry’s Jordan Hone (Opel Adam R2) and his Cork co-driver Aileen Kelly were emphatic winners of the Junior category while the Cork/Galway duo of Luke McCarthy/David Hogan (Ford Escort) won the Historic category.
Non-starters included Peadar Hurson (Ford Fiesta WRC), Ian Barrett (Subaru WRC) and Seamus Leonard (Ford Focus WRC).
Maps: Directions to HQ/Scrutiny/Parc ferme/Trailer park - Time and Distance
Posted: May 28, 2019 5:23 PM
Seeded Entry List
Posted: May 27, 2019 4:16 PM
1 Josh Moffett/Andy Hayes (Ford Fiesta WRC) [7]
2 Donagh Kelly/Conor Foley (Ford Focus WRC) [7]
3 Declan Boyle/Bian Boyle (Ford Fiesta WRC) [7]
4 Roy White/James O'Brien (Ford Fiesta WRC) [7]
5 Peadar Hurson/Damien Connolly (Ford Focus WRC) [7]
6 Ian Barrett/Paul McGee (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B) [7]
7 Hugh Hunter/Rob Fagg (Ford Focus WRC) [7]
8 Kevin Eves/Chris Melly (Toyota Corolla Twin Cam) [14]
9 Declan Gallagher/Derek Heena (Toyota Starlet RWD) [14]
10 Kevin Gallagher/Gerard Callaghan (Darrian T90 GTR) [14]
11 Seamus Leonard/Paul McLaughlin (Ford Focus WRC) [7]
12 Steve Wood/Keith Moriarty (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) [7]
14 Melvyn Evans/Mark Glennerster (Skoda Fabia R5) [5]
15 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC S14) [7]
16 Declan McCrory/TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC S12) [7]
17 Keith Lyons/Niall Burns (Ford Fiesta R5) [5]
18 J.F. Shovelin/Emmet Brosnan (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
19 Stuart Darcy/JJ Cremin (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
20 Ian Roche/Anthony Nestor (Subaru Impreza WRC S10) [15]
21 Paul Rowley/Brian Doherty (Ford Fiesta R5) [5]
22 David Moffett/Martin Connolly (Toyota Starlet RWD) [13]
23 Michael Boyle/Dermot McCafferty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
24 Niall Devine/Liam McIntyre (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) [4]
25 Daren McKelvey/Dean O'Sullivan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [20]
26 Paul Barrett/Declan Tumilty (Ford Fiesta R5) [5]
27 Sean Moran/Jonathan Keane (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
28 Jordan Johnny/MC Crudden Paddy (Toyota Starlet RWD) [13]
29 Paul Purtill/Paul Kelly (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
30 Tomas O'Rourke/Tomas Scallan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
31 Tim Enright/Raymond Scott (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
32 John Bonner/John McCafferty (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
33 Kyle McGettigan/Dale McGettigan (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
34 Lee Hastings/Alistair Wyllie (Subaru Impreza) [20]
35 Colin Byrne/Eric Calnan (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
36 Jason McSweeney/Liam Brennan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [20]
37 Ken Lyons/Paddy McDonnell (Ford Escort RS Mk2) [14]
38 Owen Murphy/Jonathan O' Mahony (Talbot Sunbeam Lotus) [18]
39 Charlie Hickey/Johnny Hickey (Ford Escort RS) [14]
40 Eugene Meegan/Sarah Whelan (Citroen DS3 R5) [5]
41 Vincent O'Shea/Eoin O'Donoghue (BMW M1) [14]
42 Tom Flaherty/Horan Paul (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
43 Tommy Cahill/Enda O'Leary (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) [20]
44 James Murphy/John Brennan (Ford Fiesta) [20]
45 Tom Holton/Shane Byrne (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [20]
46 Simon Chapman/Peter Foy (Proton Satria S2500 Millington) [20]
47 Pat Kelly/Jonathan Kelly (Ford Fiesta) [20]
48 JR McDaid/Aodhan Gallagher (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
49 John Danaher/Keith Curley (Ford Escort RS) [14]
50 Mark Dolphin/David Mannion (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
51 Tom Relihan/Maurice McElligott (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
52 Aidan Bourke/Aidan Bourke (Ford Escort) [13]
53 Frank Sweeney/Jane Cogan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
54 Simon Devlin/Michael Laverty (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
55 Kenneth Ryan/Garry Carroll (Ford Escort) [13]
56 Des Moore/TBA (Ford DMRR RS1600T) [14]
57 Eamonn Kelly/Conor Mohan (Ford Fiesta R2) [2]
58 Bryan Carrig/Mike O'Flaherty (Ford Escort) [14]
59 John Byrnes/Brian Grant (Renault Clio) [2]
60 Lloyd Hutchinson/Willie Fitzpatrick (Austin Mini Cooper S) [9]
61 Colin Roche/Derry Long (Toyota Starlet RWD) [11R]
62 Jason Tuthill/Ben Teggart (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
63 Maurice Meskell/Stephen Meskell (Ford Escort) [12]
64 Luke McCarthy/David Hogan (Ford Escort RS) [K]
65 Dan Kelleher/Eoghan McCarthy (Ford Escort RS1800) [18]
66 Eoin Duffin/Mike Quinn (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
67 Declan Gannon/Cathal Gannon (BMW M3) [14]
68 Niall O'Connell/Tommy O'Connor (Citroen C2 R2 MAX) [2]
69 John O'Rourke/Bian Commons (Opel Corsa) [12]
70 Patrick Murphy/Aaron O'Regan (Honda Civic SIR) [11F]
71 Hazel O'Callaghan/Tomas Ryan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
72 Mark Boyle/Stephen Doogan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
73 Declan Hall/Chrissy Corr (Toyota Starlet RWD) [11R]
74 Eddie Kennelly/Timmy Murphy (Ford Escort Mk2) [11R]
75 DJ Browne/Denny Greaney (Citroen C2 R2) [2]
76 Rory Thomas/Aidan Thomas (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
77 Desmond Roche/Mairead Duane (Honda Civic) [1]
78 David O'Flaherty/Shane Conway (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
79 Pat Ryan/Shane Griffin (Ford Escort Mk2) [9]
80 Christopher O'Callaghan/Kaine Treanor (Toyota Corolla Twin Cam) [13]
81 Eamon Barrett/Ger Ryan (Ford Escort Mk2) [9]
82 Fergal Heney/Paul Murphy (Toyota Corolla Twincam) [11R]
83 Mikey Walsh/Gene Stack (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
84 Des Lyons/Ashling Mc Ardle (Honda Civic EK4) [11F]
85 Denis Dinneen/Donal Dinneen (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
86 Mike Dolan/Ann Hutchinson (Honda Civic) [11F]
87 James Kissane/Tim Kissane (Ford Escort Mk2) [11R]
88 Kieran Hayes/Andrew Purser (Peugeot 205 GTi) [12]
89 Gary Garty/Michael Breen (Citroen C2) [11F]
90 Gerard O'Shea/Mary O'Shea (Peugeot 306) [3]
91 John Coughlan/Sean Walsh (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
92 Gordon Dreaper/Derek Bovenizer (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
93 Liam Fitzgibbon/June Fitzgibbon (Nissan Micra Kit Car) [9]
94 Peter McDonnell/Neil Quinn (Honda Civic EG6) [13]
95 Keith McFadden/Sara McFadden (Renault Clio) [3]
96 Nick Barnett/Martin Brady (Ford Fiesta) [1]
97 Micheal Rodgers/Aiden Connolly (Honda Civic FN2) [3]
98 Sean McHugh/Kathleen Kennedy (Subaru Impreza N10) [15]
99 Shay Laheen/Kerrill Dempsey (Ford Escort Mk2) [9]
100 Stephen Reynolds/Derek McCarthy (Honda Civic) [1]
101 David Dee/Rita Dee (Austin Mini Cooper) [9]
102 Grainne Caplis/Tommy Cuddihy (Opel Corsa) [9]
103 Shane Casey/Séamus McHugh (Honda Civic) [11F]
104 Corey Eves/TBA (Toyota Corolla RWD) [11R]
105 Katie Quinn/Ciara O'Connell (Honda Civic) [2]
106 Gordon Nimmo/Chrystal Culkeen (Ford Fiesta) [11F]
107 Ollie Lynch/Linda O'Neill (Honda Civic) [11F]
108 Malcolm Pedlow/John Henderson (BMW 2002 ti) [18]
109 Joe Moffitt/Eddie Moffitt (Honda Civic) [1]
110 Francis Kelly/Doireann Tiernan (Honda Civic) [3]
111 William Nolan/Shane O'Mahony (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
112 Paraic Callanan/TJ Shiel (Honda Civic EG6) [11F]
113 James Lowry/Tommy Hayes (Honda Civic EK4) [1]
114 Kevin Casey/Paul Sexton (Peugeot 206) [11F]
115 Darren Fallon/TBA (Peugeot 205 GTi) [10]
116 Pat McDonagh/Seaghan Hickey (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
Juniors
J1 Jordan Hone/Aileen Kelly (Opel Adam R2) [16A]
J2 Colin O'Donoghue/Eddie Doherty (Ford Escort Mk2) [16A]
J3 Darragh McNern/Trevor Graham (Toyota Corolla Twin Cam 16A) []
J4 Kieren Reen/Mark O'Leary (Honda Civic) [16]
J5 Nigel Roche/Andrew Cronin (Honda Civic) [16A]
J6 Tom Murphy/Tommy Downes (Honda Civic) [16]
J7 Cathal Nolan/Emel McNamara (Honda Civic EG6) [16]
J8 Cathal Keane/Declan Boyle (Honda Civic) [16A]
J9 Michael Cunniffe/Barry Talt (Peugeot 106 GTi) [16]
J10 Trevor Roche/Graham Roche (Peugeot 206) [16]
J11 Greg Obrien/Jake Lennon (Honda Civic) [16]
J12 John Fleming/Kieran O'Donoghue (Ford Escort Mk2) [16]
J14 Alan O'Sullivan/Dean Slattery (Honda Civic) [16]
Launch Night - (Tue) 21 May
Posted: May 15, 2019 3:42 PM
It's looking like a bumper entry for this year's Lyons of Limerick sponsored Circuit of Munster stages Rally! With well over 2 weeks to go and entries now exceeded the magic 100 mark, East Limerick for the action of the stages and Limerick city for the up close exciting setting of service, it's the place to be over the June Bank holiday weekend. Entries are still open folks and are most welcome. Every class is now represented on the swelling entry list, so its sure to competitive though out the field. With entries from Ireland, North & South, England and Wales and an entry in from Austraila, the rally really has an international feel, even tough its a counting of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship and the Top Part West Coast Rally Championship.
Limerick Motor Club are delighted to also announce details of the launch night which takes place at Limerick Racecourse, Patrickswell on Tuesday next, the 21st May at 7.30pm. There will be guest speakers and an exciting array of rally cars on display. COC Shane O'Callaghan and his hard working organizing team would like to invite all media, competing crews and rally enthausists to come along and enjoy the launch.
Exciting details of a Facebook like & share competition will be announced tomorrow Thursday, but you have to be a member of our 2019 Lyons of Limerick Circuit of Munster Stages Rally FB page to enter. A spin in an R5 Ford Fiesta car and/or Ford Escort 2.5lt are on offer. Not to be missed! We will also have loads of runner up prizes of bobble hats and baseball hats to give away. All courtsey of our good and very generous sponsors at Lyons of Limerick.
Looking forward to meeting up with on the evening.
Lyons of Limerick Circuit Of Munster Stages Rally 2019 - Press Release 1
Posted: March 27, 2019 11:24 AM
Plans are well under way for this year’s Circuit of Munster Stages Rally, which will take place on Sunday the 2nd of June this year. Limerick Motor Club are delighted to announce Lyons Of Limerick have pledged their support for this year’s event. Lyons Of Limerick are the main Ford, Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover dealer in Limerick city and County. Father and son Ken and Keith Lyons are no strangers to the Circuit Of Munster and we are extremely happy to have them on board for this year’s event. Speaking to Keith Lyons on what attracted them to sponsor this year’s event he said “We feel it is a very good partnership, the circuit of Munster is an event both myself and Ken love competing on and is of course our local rally. We thought it would be a great idea to bring the rally back closer to the city and to our HQ here in Ballysimon, our business is Motor Cars so it’s fitting that out hobby is motorsport”.
Clerk of The Course Shane O’Callaghan has made some changes to this year’s event the most notable being the rally has moved from West Limerick where it was based the last few years to East Limerick. When Shane was asked why to hold the Circuit of Munster in East Limerick in 2019 he said.
“It all came about in a conversation with Keith Lyons shortly after last year’s event, in which he shared with me his desire to get more involved in a title sponsor role, having been associate sponsor in previous years. Following a meeting and the signing of a three-year deal, the Lyons of Limerick Circuit of Munster became a reality and we set about putting things in motion for 2019.” The name of our club is Limerick City & County Motor Club and it has been a while since the city part got some exposure. It has been ten years or so since tarmac stages were run in East Limerick and many people have been enquiring when we were coming around again. With the title sponsor based in Limerick city and the motorway network nearby it made sense to run locally”
This year’s event is round 4 of the Triton National Rally Championship, Round 3 of the Top Part West coast Rally Championship. It boasts a 3x3 format and hosts 3 of the best stages East Limerick has on offer with 120 max permitted stage Kilometres.
In addition to 3 brilliant stages we are delighted to confirm that Rally Headquarters, Service, Parc Ferme & Trailer park are all less than two minutes off the M7 motorway making it very easy to find and to access. Road KMS will be at a minimum, And a very compact direct route to and from the stages.
We wouldn’t be able to keep all this compact if it wasn’t for Title Sponsor Lyons Of Limerick offering us their wonderful facilities for the weekend. Guaranteed a friendly welcome and a memorable weekend.
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