Anthony Breen & Jill White (Subaru Impreza WRX) SS8
PJ O'Dowd & John Young (Talbot Sunbeam) SS8
Colin Byrne & Stephen Quin (Ford Escort Mk II) SS7
Maurice Meskell & Steve Meskell (Ford Escort Mk1) SS7
Garry Carroll & Tony McCarthy (Honda Civic) SS8
Video Clips
Posted: June 26, 2017 6:55 AM
MOFFETT/MORIARTY MOP UP IN MUNSTER - Report courtesy of Triton Showers - proud sponsors of the Irish National Rally Championship.
Posted: June 26, 2017 6:52 AM
Monaghan’s Sam Moffett (Ford Fiesta WRC) continued his domination of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship with victory in the Rathkeale House Hotel Circuit of Munster Rally, round four of the campaign.
In what was the closest contest of the series to date, Moffett and local co-driver Keith Moriarty finished 12.4 seconds ahead of the Ford Focus WRC of former Triton champion Donegal’s Donagh Kelly and his Monaghan co-driver Conor Foley.
Ulster pair Alastair Fisher/Gordon Noble (Fiesta R5) were one minute and 39.4 seconds further behind in third.
The Group N category was won by Limerick’s Colm Murphy (Subaru) and his Cork co-driver Don Montgomery. Tyrone’s Vivian Hamill/Denver Rafferty (Escort) were the top two-wheel drive exponents.
Triton series leader Sam Moffett (Fiesta WRC) was quickest through the opening stage near Barnagh where he extricated a 3.1 second advantage over the Ford Focus WRC of Donagh Kelly with Declan Boyle (Fiesta WRC) a further 9.4 seconds adrift and just 1.8 seconds ahead of the Fiesta R5 of Alastair Fisher, Desi Henry (Skoda Fabia R5) and Manus Kelly (Subaru WRC) completed the top six.
In showery conditions tyre choice proved crucial, Donagh Kelly was quickest through second stage and fellow county man Declan Boyle was best on the third and final stage of the loop.
At the Newcastle West service park, rally leader Kelly expressed satisfaction with his pace. Moffett, 3.1 seconds behind wasn’t happy with his performance through the second and third stages, the Monaghan man admitted to having a few moments on S.S. 3.
Boyle was 19.7 seconds further adrift in third, he lost time in the rain on the opening stage and he reckoned the set-up of his Fiesta WRC wasn’t right through S.S. 2, however, he made adjustments and it performed much better on the third stage.
Alastair Fisher in fourth was the leading R5 car and was followed by the Subaru WRC of Manus Kelly, who decided to back off a little on the third stage as he had chosen the wrong tyres.
Seventh on the opening stage, Keith Cronin (Fiesta R5) slotted into fourth a stage later but a massive overshoot on the third stage dropped him to sixth.
Elsewhere, seventh placed Desi Henry slid his Skoda Fabia R5 into a ditch on the third stage and lost over thirty seconds and had to rely on spectators to get him back on the road.
The top ten was completed by Roy White, Josh Moffett and Niall Maguire. White picked the wrong tyres for his Fiesta WRC, Moffett (Fiesta R5) had a half spin on the third stage, he was on a confidence building exercise after his accident on the last round in Monaghan. Maguire stalled his Subaru on the opening stage.
In Group N, Athea driver Colm Murphy (Subaru) on his first rally in some three years, led the way, he was eleventh in general classification. Shane Maguire and Neil Tohill were next in the showroom category as Motorsport Safety Team leader David Guest (Mitsubishi) lost several minutes on the second stage where he slid into a drain and required the help of several spectators to re-join the action.
Out on the second loop and although Kelly extended his lead over Moffett to 6.4 seconds on S.S. 4, the Monaghan man responded in perfect fashion and regained the lead courtesy of two fastest stage times. At the final service, the event was finely poised with Moffett 2.1 seconds ahead of Kelly. On the fifth stage Declan Boyle (Fiesta WRC) retired after he lost over five minutes with a puncture.
His demise promoted Fermanagh’s Alastair Fisher into third spot albeit over a minute behind Donagh Kelly.
Manus Kelly (Subaru) occupied fourth from Keith Cronin, who made some adjustments after his Fiesta R5 suffered some steering issues.
Roy White in sixth remarked that the tyres he used for the second loop would have been better for the first loop and vice versa.
Desi Henry (Skoda Fabia R5) was seventh, Josh Moffett continued his confidence building, he was eighth as Niall Maguire and Group N leader Colm Murphy completed the top ten.
Moffett went on to secure his fourth win of the Triton campaign, he also picked up a bonus point from the Power Stage and for good measure, won the Triton Showers Drive of the Day. Kelly took second to remain in the title equation while Fisher was third. The remainder of the top ten was unchanged with tenth placed Colm Murphy (Subaru) winning Group N – Monaghan’s Shane Maguire (Mitsubishi) moves into the lead of the Motorsport Safety Group N category, pre-event leader David Guest retired with transmission problems soon after he completed the seventh stage. Neil Tohill (Mitsubishi) and Paul Barrett (Subaru) also failed to finish.
Monaghan’s Jonny Treanor/Stephen McElroy (Honda Civic) won the Junior category from Meath’s Brian Brady/Leonard Tuite and Donegal’s Michael Boyle/Dermot McCafferty, also in Honda Civics.
MOFFETT TOPS MONSTER MUNSTER - Preview courtesy of Triton Showers - proud sponsors of the Irish National Rally Championship
Posted: June 1, 2017 10:19 AM
As the Triton Showers National Rally Championship reaches the halfway mark with the Rathkeale Hotel Circuit of Munster Rally on Sunday next, the main question is who can stop the Moffett march to the national title for the Vard Memorial Trophy? There’s a fascinating entry for the nine-stage event that will be contested over a three-stage loop just off the N21 around Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale.
Monaghan ace Sam Moffett has virtually been invincible in the current series. On-board his Ford Fiesta WRC, he has won all three rounds to date – taking 62 of the 63 Triton points that were available. Last time out – on what was his home event - he won by a margin of 26.8 seconds, the smallest margin of all three rounds with former Triton champion Donagh Kelly (Ford Focus WRC) his nearest rival. Moffett, who won the Circuit of Munster three years ago – is in a rich vein of form at the moment and his rivals will need to be at their very best to break his dominance. However, a fourth win for Moffett will put him in a very strong position to land the series.
Former national champions Kelly (2015) and Declan Boyle, who won the series in 2014 and 2013, know what’s needed and they must break Moffett’s dominance to have any chance of success.
In addition to his Triton title bid, Kelly, who won the Circuit of Munster two years ago, will also be using the rally as a shakedown for his home event, the Donegal International in a few weeks time. Indeed, many of the others in the top ten are on a similar mission including fellow Donegal driver Declan Boyle (Ford Fiesta WRC) and Monaghan’s Josh Moffett, who will be on his first event since crashing on the last Triton round in Monaghan.
Boyle, who won last week’s Cavan Rally, will be in buoyant form as he too tries to stop the Moffett express and secure his own third national title.
The top quality entry also features Fermanagh’s Alastair Fisher (Ford Fiesta R5), who is also on a test ahead of Donegal while Cork’s Keith Cronin will use his own Ford Fiesta R5 as he gets in some tarmac experience ahead of his BRC outing in the Ypres Rally.
Meanwhile, reigning Triton champion Roy White (Ford Fiesta WRC) occupies the number seven berth as he concentrates on the national campaign where he is second overall – 17 points behind Sam Moffett. Donegal’s Manus Kelly (Subaru WRC), who was third on the Midland Rally returns to the series, he too is on a Donegal shakedown while its unlikely he can make up ground on his Triton rivals.
The top ten also features BRC regular Derry driver Desi Henry (Skoda Fabia R5) and former triple Irish national champion Monaghan’s Niall Maguire (Subaru WRC), who is third in the current Triton campaign.
Elsewhere, there are places for Maynooth’s Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC) and two-wheel drive exponents, Frank Kelly, Ed O'Callaghan, Ed Synan, Colin Byrne, Tom Flaherty and Tim Enright, all in Ford Escorts - local driver O’Callaghan will fancy his chances on home ground.
While the leader of the Triton Mk. 2 Escort Trophy series, Adrian Hetherington is not amongst the seeded list, his closest rivals, Roscommon’s Vincent Collins and Tyrone’s Barry Morris are set to gain.
Motorsport Safety Group N leader, Cork’s David Guest (Mitsubishi) heads the Group N contingent that also includes Shane Maguire (Mitsubishi), Paul Barrett (Subaru) and Neil Tohill (Mitsubishi). Last time out in Monaghan, Maguire denied Guest of a third major score, the battle in Limerick could also see Tohill come into the frame as Barrett continues to build his confidence after crashing on the non-championship Circuit of Kerry Rally.
A late entry is that of former national champion and local driver Colm Murphy in a Subaru, he hasn’t competed in some three years. Five years ago he won the Circuit of Munster - driving the same Subaru he will use on Sunday, he finished eleven seconds ahead of Donagh Kelly (Subaru WRC) with Roy White (MG ZR) 49 seconds further behind in third.
Aside from Ed O’Callaghan, Ed Synan and Colm Murphy other local drivers looking to impress include Frank Sweeny, Sean Moran, Stephen Bawn, John Danagher and Kenneth Ryan all in Escorts and Eamonn Daly (Mitsubishi).
In the Junior category, Donegal’s Michael Boyle (Honda Civic) is the top seed with opposition emanating from fellow Honda Civic drivers Brian Brady (Meath), Jonny Treanor (Monaghan), Tom Holton (Meath), Shane Norris (Tipperary) and Patrick Naughton (Limerick).
Entries Received 1/6/17
Posted: June 1, 2017 7:36 AM
Mainfield
109 David Forde/Timothy O'Brien (Subaru Impreza WRC Sti) [15]
110 Sean Moylan/Declan Casey Peugeot 306 [10]
Juniors
J15 Michael Cunniffe/TBA (Peugeot 106) 16
Late Entries 29/5/17
Posted: May 30, 2017 8:43 AM
Main Field
97 Pauraic Callanan /Geraldine Finnerty (Honda Civic Vtec) [11F]
98 David Kelly /James Conwell (Citroen C2 R2) [2]
99 Eamonn McGuigan /Michael Moran (Ford Escort) [12 ]
100 Anthony Breen /Jill White (Subaru Impreza WRX) [15 ]
101 JR McDaid /Keith Curley ( Ford Escort RS) [13 ]
102 Sean Enright /Conor Walsh (Ford Escort Mk2) [12 ]
103 Justin Comer /Ken Flanagan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5) [15 ]
104 Colm Murphy /Don Montgomery (Subaru Impreza N12) [4]
105 John Mulholland /Jeff Case (Skoda Fabia R5) [5 ]
106 Vivian Hamill /Denver Rafferty (Ford Escort RS Mk 2) [2 14 ]
107 Paul McHugh /David Mannion (Honda Integra Type R) [3]
2017 Rathkeale House Hotel Circuit of Munster Stages Rally - Press Release No. 2
Posted: May 9, 2017 3:57 PM
The 2017 Rathkeale House Hotel Circuit of Munster Stages Rally in association with Lyons of Limerick, is only 3 weeks away and revs are building for this year’s event and the excitement continues to build. Final preparations of man and machine is now beginning at a frantic pace and final checks are beginning.
Regulations and entry forms are available though the usual links such as; www.shannonsportit.com and www.limerickmc.ie. COC Kieran Ambrose is very excited to announce easy payment and early incentive scheme for competitors for this years event. This consists of entry completed and full payment made to rallies secretary on or before the 17th May,2017, where a voucher to the value of €70 is then made available to competitor’s on rally weekend and is redeemable against anything at rally HQ; Rathkeale House Hotel. This could include accommodation costs, food or drinks. Handy, if you have a rally crew to feed or if the family & your biggest fans, are in attendance! Kieran would like to thank Damien of Rathkeale House Hotel, for giving the Circuit of Munster Rally committee the opportunity to give something back to the competitor in these rally expensive times!
With crews normally taking the Saturday of the event, the 3rd of June to complete the recce, Hotels and Bed and Breakfast rooms are at a premium. Also restaurants, cafes and shops along the route will benefit as drivers and co-drivers need to be refuelled.
A familiar area of West Limerick greets the crews for the stages on Sunday, however, the stages haven’t been used at the Circuit of Munster for a good few years and indeed, have not been used in these versions/variations ever! Centralised servicing is now moved from Rathkeale and re-located to the bustling town of Newcastlewest and a fantastic West Limerick welcome is sure to materialise.
9 stages in 3x3 format will test man and machine, from 9am approx. to 5.30pm on Sunday 4th June, covering 120 stage km’s with little road mileage. The stages are fast, flowing with lots of ‘technical bits’ which will test the driver’s and co-driver’s abilities.
When the crews arrive back at the Rathkeale House Hotel on Sunday evening, celebrations will commence and the party will continue into the ‘wee’ hours!!!! Remember, Limerick Motor club have the envious position of hosting the Circuit of Munster on the June Bank weekend, so there is no hurry home for work on Monday morning.
So, come join us in 3 weeks time in Limerick, where rally HQ is only 20 miles from the M7 motorway, for a petrol fuelled, fun-packed, family orientated and huge welcome will be in store for you and most importantly, one of the best value, one day rallies, you will get this year in Ireland.
Come rallying to Limerick, you won’t regret it!
Promo Video
Posted: May 3, 2017 3:44 AM
Early entry incentive scheme
Posted: April 25, 2017 4:05 PM
Main field and historics are to get an reduced rate of €729.
This is only available if they have an entry in and FULLY paid by the 17th of May.
Juniors are to get the reduced rate of €450
This is only available if they have an entry in and FULLY paid by the 17th of May.
Clarification regarding above scheme. Reduced rate is being implemented by means of a voucher redeemable at the Rathkeale House Hotel.
Limerick Motor Club and the 2017 Rathkeale House Hotel Circuit of Munster Stages Rally committee, are delighted to announce that they will return to the West Limerick town of Rathkeale (which is only 20 miles off the M7 motorway) where the annual Circuit of Munster stages Rally takes place on Sunday the 4th of June, 2017 (June Bank holiday Weekend).
Last year, Rathkeale and its surrounding hinterlands has been hugely supportive to the Circuit of Munster Stages Rally and Limerick Motor Club would like to take this opportunity to thank all their sponsors, associated businesses in Rathkeale and the surrounding area, the local residents, Rathkeale House Hotel, which is again rally HQ, Rathkeale Town business committee, the Garda Siochana and Limerick County Council for their unprecedented support last year & we wish that this support will continue.
With entries opening very soon, rally organisers, under the stewardship of, once again Clerk of the Course for 2017, Kieran Ambrose have plans at a very advanced stage for this years rally. Even before, rally regs have been released, leading and regular Triton Showers National Rally Championship contenders have contacted rally officials in relation to accommadation for the first weekend of June.
This year's Circuit of Munster Stages Rally will challenge competitors as they weave their way along the dramatic scenery of the hills and valleys on perfect tarmac in the West Limerick lanes, located to the West of towns of Rathkeale and Newcastlewest. 3 fantastic stages covering the maximum allowed of 120km, with low road mileage, on some of the best driving roads from start to finish. It promises to be spectaclar and be an exciting race fueled weekend for competitors and spectators alike and is a must for all the family.
We wish to thank our hosts and rally HQ, Rathkeale House Hotel, who have come on board again as main sponsor for the event and will host rally HQ from 3rd to 5th of June. We would also like to thank our associate sponsors, Lyons of Limerick and of course our many stage sponsors without whom their deep pockets, we would not be able to organised & promote our flagship event.
The 2017 Circuit of Munster is Round 4 of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship & Round 3 of the Top Part West Coast Rally Championship of which we are expecting a big entry come June Bank Holiday weekend in Limerick county.
With a compressed and compact loop of 3 stages done 3 times, giving a total of 120km on 9 brillant stages, the competing crews can look forward to the superb West Limerick tarmac in a mixture of fast open roads with many tight sections, in perfect quantities which will challenge even the most experienced drivers and navigators.
If you enjoy the challenge which comes from special stage rallying & you are up for the experience, which is the 2017 Rathkeale House Hotel Circuit of Munster Stages Rally, we look forward to welcoming you all to Rathkeale on the June Bank Holiday!
Circuit of Munster Launch - 14 May 17
Posted: April 5, 2017 9:26 AM
This years circuit of Munster is fast approaching
This years launch is on the 14th of May at rathkeale House Hotel from 2pm
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