Galway International Rally - 4-5 Feb 23

Meirion Evans Livery

Posted: January 31, 2023 2:57 PM

David Kelly's (Citroen C3 Rally2) Livery for Galway 2023

Posted: January 31, 2023 2:47 PM

Galway classic on the cards as Irish Tarmac opens 2023 season

Posted: January 31, 2023 2:29 PM

The 2023 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship is go, and it is set to get off to the best start on the Galway International Rally.

A maximum entry of crews will tackle 15 challenging stages on the west of Ireland’s season opener. While February may throw the elements at us, Galway always delivers its fair share of rally excitement.

Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes top Galway’s big-name entry as they kick off the defence of their 2022 Irish Tarmac title. Last year’s Galway International and ITRC runners-up, Meirion Evans and Jonathan Jackson, pushed Moffett all the way 12 months ago. The Welshmen are back in their Volkswagen Polo R5 and look closer than ever to seriously challenging for a maiden Irish Tarmac crown.

But the 2023 Samdec International Irish Tarmac Rally Championship is by no means going to be a two-horse race. Sam Moffett has returned to the Rally2 series after a sabbatical behind the wheel of a rear-wheel-drive Toyota Starlet. The 2017 Irish Tarmac Champion is out to balance the books with brother Josh who now holds one more Tarmac title.

2022 was a challenging year for Callum Devine as he got to grips with his Polo R5. The Rally of the Lakes winner was in contention for victories in West Cork, Donegal, and Cork but it just wasn’t to be. The Derry driver is back for more though with his well-fancied Polo and Kerry co-driver Noel O’Sullivan. If Devine finds the sweet spot, he is certain to be fighting right at the front.

Cathan McCourt and Liam Moynihan threatened the top crews in 2022, including a promising spell on last year’s Galway International Rally. They furthered their form with a switch to Citroen’s Rally2 C3 - the Tyrone ace looks set to utilise its credentials in his 2023 title tilt. Another C3 will be piloted by Robert Barrable who returns to Irish Tarmac action for the first time since 2019. Galway is the Dubliner’s debut event in the Citroen but his skill mixed with the C3’s prowess will be an exciting prospect.

A pair of leading Northern Ireland Rally Championship pilots make their return to ITRC’s curtain raiser bidding for their first International ITRC victories.
Jonathan Greer topped off his run to fourth in ITRC by winning December’s Killarney Historic Rally aboard his Ford Sierra Cosworth. He switches back to the familiarity of his Rally2 Citroen for Galway with many hoping the Down driver commits to a full championship push in 2023.
Desi Henry scored no fewer than seven rally wins in 2022, however, his luck was out on international events. The leading Ford Fiesta Rally2 driver held strong leads on the Circuit of Ireland and Ulster Rally before retiring from both. His presence in Galway will be welcomed by many but certainly feared by his rivals.

The Rally2 count continues including Irish Tarmac Champions Declan Boyle, Garry Jennings, Tim McNulty, and Gareth MacHale. MacHale and Brian Murphy enjoyed a magical return to competition in 2022, topped off with a victory on the Galway Summer Rally.

Elsewhere in the Samdec International category, a string of budding young drivers are staged to battle it out for Rally4 honours. Joseph Kelly, Shane Quinn, Casey Jay Coleman, and Dylan Eves are among the class’s early contenders.

The Modified Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, supported by McEvoy Motorsport in 2023, will continue to thrill fans. Kevin Eves, Gary Kiernan, Marty Toner, and Padraig Egan face a new challenger in Class 14. Jason Black steps up to the 2.5-litre field in his upgraded Toyota Starlet after a season of top results in 2022. Conor Murphy, Martin McGee, and Mark Alcorn are further names capable of challenging for modified glory in Galway.

The Synergy Motorsport Historic Irish Tarmac Championship will likely have a new points leader after Galway with top points scorers in Killarney, Neil Williams and Anthony O’Sullivan focusing instead on West Cork. Fergus O’Meara, Tom Clark, and Duncan Williams are readily positioned to fight for that prize in Galway.
The Ford Escort crews will face stiff opposition from Ray Breen and Damien Morrissey’s Subaru Legacy which could suit the slippery conditions in February.
Gareth Lloyd and David Byrne’s BMW M3 adds extra variety to the historic field along with Trevor Wilson and Paul Mulholland’s pristine Porsche 911.
Donegal’s Iarla and Jack Carty are the sole front-wheel-drive competitors in the Synergy Motorsport category, campaigning their hard-charging Vauxhall Nova.
10 of the Historic ITRC crews will travel from England and Wales, a healthy contingent ready to take the battle to local rivals like Ross and Aaron Forde who will be hoping to build on their strong Killarney Historic result on their home round.

11 Juniors have entered ITRC’s opening round of 2023. Monaghan’s Jack McKenna leads the way in his Honda Civic ahead of 2022 campaigners John Michael Kennelly and Darragh O’Donovan. The Junior Irish Tarmac Rally Championship is proudly sponsored by Paul Browne Plant Hire & Civil Engineering in 2023.

Gary Kiernan's Livery for 2023 Season

Posted: January 31, 2023 2:28 PM

2023 Corrib Oil Galway International Rally Press Release 3

Posted: January 30, 2023 8:33 AM

The entry list for the 2023 Corrib Oil Galway International Rally has been revealed and it contains a stunning line up of drivers and machinery. Over 150 drivers have entered the traditional season opener in the West of Ireland, and it looks like being one of the most competitive ever seen. Top seeds by virtue of winning the Tarmac Championship last year are Josh Moffett & Andy Hayes in a Hyundai i20 R5. This crew also won Galway last year to set them on the way to championship success. Behind them are Meirion Evans & Jonathan Jackson with the Welsh pair using their usual VW Polo and looking to go one better than last year in Galway where they pushed Moffett all the way to the end.

Callum Devine & Noel O’Sullivan (VW Polo) are at three and are more than capable of taking a win. Fourth seeds Sam Moffett & Keith Moriarty are making a return to the international scene after a year having fun in a Toyota Starlet. The 2017 tarmac champion will be competing in a Hyundai i20 R5. At five is Desi Henry & Paddy Robinson (Ford Fiesta) who didn’t have a lot of luck on the international front last year, leading two events but retiring from both. Jonny Greer & Niall Burns at six will also be looking to build on some strong showings in 2022 and can’t be ruled out for a top result. Cathan McCourt & Liam Moynihan have shown glimpses of real speed but need to find more consistency, they are seeded at seven in a Citroen C3.

A trio of former Tarmac Champions round off the top ten seeds with Garry Jennings & Arthur Kierans leading the way in a Ford Fiesta. They are followed by Declan Boyle in a VW Polo who has also won this event in the past. Gareth MacHale makes a welcome return to Galway and having won the Summer Rally last August will be looking to muscle back in amongst the leaders and aim for a repeat of his 2010 International win. The opening round of the Samdec Irish Tarmac Rally Championship certainly looks like getting off to s strong start.

Outside of the top ten Andrew Purcell, Robert Barrable, David Kelly, Tim McNulty, and Patrick O’Brien are just some of the names capable of a top result. The modified section looks very good with Gary Kiernan, Jason Black and Kevin Eves the standard bearers, but others such as Marty Toner, Mark Alcorn and Eddie Doherty could also feature. Locally the top seeded Galway crews are Dylan Donoghue / Stephen Joyce, Tommy Cahill / Enda O’Leary and Frank Raftery / Sean McCaffrey all in Mitsubishi Evos, Des Lyons and David Quigley are in Honda Civics while Karl Egan is co-driving for Jason Blacks rapid Toyota Starlet .

In what is a first for Galway, there is an entry from Iceland with multiple rally champion Gunnar Johanesson entered in a Citroen C2. The Historic section is also well represented and has a particularly strong UK presence. Tom Clark, Rob Smith, Will Onions, Meirion Evans and Duncan Williams are amongst the overseas crews, all with potent Escorts. The Irish element is competitive too with Luke McCarthy, Maurice Meskell, Ray Breen, Ross Forde, and Fergus O’Meara just some of the names.
There are eleven juniors on the list with Jack McKenna, John Michael Kennelly and Darragh O’Donovan the top three seeds, all in Honda Civics

Parc Ferme will be in Galway Racecourse and a ceremonial start will take place in Eyre Square at 8pm on Friday the 3rd of February with the action getting underway on Saturday with the first stage near Coldwood at 8:45am. There will be three stages run three times in the Craughwell / Ardrahan / Kilchreest area with service after each loop. The second day will consist of two stages to the south and east of Loughrea attempted three times with service after each pair of stages. The first car is due back at the finish ramp in Galway on Sunday evening at approximately 16:30. The service area for the weekend will be at Loughrea Mart.

The Rally Headquarters is the Connacht Hotel on the old Dublin Road and still has some availability but rooms are rapidly filling up. The Hotel website is www.theconnacht.ie for anyone wishing to make a reservation at a competitive rate. Marshals are always required, and the club would be grateful to anyone who wishes to help in this way. Interested parties can contact the chief marshal on 087-2870702. A list of programme outlets (which will include all Corrib Oil service stations) will be published in the coming days. Live coverage of the event will be streamed by Hylands Media Productions over the course of the weekend, and links will be put on the club social media sites.

Sam Moffett / Keith Moriarty to debut new Hyundai i20 N Rally2 in Galway

Posted: January 30, 2023 8:29 AM

Seeded Entry List / Entry List Updates (Evo Link)

Posted: January 24, 2023 4:28 PM

No. Driver/Navigator (Car) [Class]
1 Josh Moffett/Andy Hayes (Hyundai i20 R5) [RC2]
2 Meirion Evans/Jonathan Jackson (VW Polo GTI R5) [RC2]
3 Callum Devine/Noel O'Sullivan (VW Polo GTI R5) [RC2]
4 Sam Moffett/Keith Moriarty (Hyundai i20 R5) [5]
5 Desi Henry/Paddy Robinson (Ford Fiesta Rally2) [RC2]
6 Cathan McCourt/Liam Moynihan (Citroen C3 Rally2) [RC2]
7 Jonathan Greer/Niall Burns (Citroen C3 Rally2) [RC2]
8 Garry Jennings/Arthur Keirans (Ford Fiesta R5) [RC2]
9 Declan Boyle/TBA (VW Polo GTI R5) [RC2]
10 Gareth Machale/Brian Murphy (VW Polo GTI R5) []
11 Andrew Purcell/TBA (Skoda Fabia R5) [24]
12 Robert Barrable/Damien Connolly (Citroen C3 Rally2) []
14 Brendan Cumiskey/Martin Connolly (VW Polo GTI R5) [RC2]
15 David Kelly/Dean O'Sullivan (Citroen C3 Rally2) [RC2]
16 David Guest/Jonathan McGrath (Ford Fiesta Rally2) [5]
17 Patrick O'Brien/Stephen O'Brien (Skoda Fabia R5) [RC2]
18 Jason Mitchell/Paddy McCrudden (VW Polo GTI R5) [RC2]
19 Paul Barrett/Kevin Reilly (TBA) []
20 Aaron McLaughlin/Darren Curran (Ford Fiesta R5) [RC2]
21 Keith Lyons/JJ Cremin (Ford Fiesta Rally2) [RC2]
22 Tim McNulty/Paul Kiely (VW Polo GTI R5) [5]
23 Gary Kiernan/Daren O'Brien (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
24 Kevin Eves/Chris Melly (Toyota Corolla) [14]
25 Jason Black/Karl Egan (Toyota Starlet RWD) [14]
26 Conor Murphy/Sean Collins (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
27 Marty Toner/Ben Teggart (BMW 1M) [14]
28 Eddie Doherty/Tom Murphy (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
29 Mark Alcorn/John O'Donnell (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
30 Padraig Egan/Tomas Ryan (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
31 Trevor Bustard/Kenny Bustard (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [15]
32 Dylan Donoghue/Stephen Joyce (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
33 Tommy Cahill/Enda O'Leary (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) [20]
34 Frank Rafferty/Sean McCaffrey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [20]
35 Simon Reid/John Murphy (Ford Fiesta R5) [RC2]
36 James Ford/Neil Shanks (Citroen C3 Rally2) [RC2]
37 Colin O'Rourke/Shane Gilhooly (Skoda Fabia R5) [24]
38 Sam Johnston/David Gibbons (Honda Civic) [11F]
39 Des Lyons/Ashling McArdle (Honda EG6) [11F]
40 David Quigley/TBA (Honda Civic) [11F]
41 Martin McGee/Conor Foley (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
42 Brian Brogan/Damian McGettigan (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
43 John Warren/Ruthann O'Connor (Toyota Corolla Twincam) [13]
44 Brian Lavelle/Piaras O'Ceallachain (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
45 Stephen Faughnan/Amy Faughnan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
46 Sarah Purcell/Kevin Horgan (Ford Fiesta R5) [RC3]
47 Gareth Black/Connor Dunlop (Toyota Starlet RWD) [13]
48 Cian Walsh/Dylan Doonan (Toyota Corolla) [13]
49 Geoffrey Dolan/Connor Murphy (Talbot Sunbeam) [13]
50 Tom Clark/Alistair Wyllie (Ford Escort) []
51 Rob Smith/Alun Cook (Ford Escort RS1600) [11R]
52 Fergus O'Meara/Declan Casey (Ford Escort RS1800) [RC2]
53 Stephen Greaney/Des Sherlock (Ford Fiesta R5) [24]
54 Pat Kelly/Jonathan Kelly (Ford Fiesta) [20]
55 Kevin Wilson/Conor Wilson (Hyundai i20 R5) [RC2]
56 Stephen Bawn/Sean Nolan (Skoda Fabia R5) [RC2]
57 Gavin Kelly/TBA (Ford Fiesta R5) [RC2]
58 Simon Chapman/Peter Foy (Proton Millington) [20]
59 Jonathan Folan/Jason Ollerenshaw (Ford Fiesta) [20]
60 Justin Comer/Adrain Comer (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
61 Anthony O'Brien/Lorcan Moore (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10) [20]
62 Casey Jay Coleman/Adam Coffey (Ford Fiesta Rally3) [RC4]
63 Tom Holton/Stephen Reynolds (Ford Fiesta R5) [RC2]
64 Cian Caldwell/Liam Egan (Ford Fiesta Rally4) [RC4]
65 Keelan Grogan/Ayrton Sherlock (Peugeot 208 R2) [RC4]
66 Ross Forde/Arron Forde (Ford Escort RS1800) [5]
67 Ray Breen/Damien Morrissey (Subaru Legacy RS) [9]
68 Will Onions/Dave Williams (Ford Escort RS Mk2) [9]
69 Meirion Evans/Dale Furniss (Ford Escort RS1800) [9]
70 Shane Quinn/Patrick Brides (Ford Fiesta) [RC4]
71 Joseph Kelly/Ronan Comerford (Peugeot 208 Rally4) [RC4]
72 Dylan Eves/Ryan Farrell (Ford Fiesta) [RC4]
73 Aaron Browne/Derry Long (Honda Civic) [11F]
74 Jack Brunton/Sean Brunton (Honda Civic) [11F]
75 Tommy Foley/TBA (Honda Civic) [11F]
76 Liam McMullan/Patrick Durning (Honda Civic) [11F]
77 Paul McHugh/TBA (Honda Integra) [11F]
78 Healy David/Mcging Stephan (Honda Civic) [11F]
79 Corey Eves/Pascal McCarney (Toyota Corolla) [9]
80 Mark Murphy/Damien Fleming (Toyota Starlet RWD) [11R]
81 Aaron McIntyre/Paul McPhillips (Toyota Starlet RWD) [11R]
82 Bob Moran/Eoin Collins (Ford Escort Mk2) [11R]
83 Aoife Raftery/Grace O'Brien (TBA) []
84 Oliver Benton/Kyle Diffin (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
85 Mickey Conlan/Domhnall Lennon (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
86 Kevin Cole/Matthew Kirwan (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
87 Patrick Bonner/Eoghan Moore (Ford Escort RS2000) [12]
88 John McCarthy/Kieran A O'Donoghue (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
89 Shay Laheen/Kerrill Dempsey (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
90 Ben Walsh/Dale McGettigan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
91 Gareth Irwin/Justin McCauley (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
92 Thomas Lynch/TBA (Ford Escort Mk3 G3) [13]
93 Pat Price/Andy Curran (Subaru Impreza N12B) [22]
94 Liam Egan/TBA (Proton Iriz R5) [RC2]
95 Neil Phelan/Keith McCarthy (Ford Escort Mk2) [9]
96 Tomas Ryan/Shane Dillon (Honda Civic) [11F]
97 Mike Connelly/Michael Doc Doherty (Honda Civic) [11F]
98 Cathal Martley/Shane Gorman (Toyota Corolla Twin Cam) [11R]
99 Daniel Dunne/David Dunne (Toyota Starlet RWD) [11R]
100 Gerard Browne/Kevin Duggan (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
101 John Watters/TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
102 Gunnar Johannesson/Isak Gudjonsson (Citroen C2R2 Max) [RC4]
103 Phillip Morrow/Simon Morrow (Nissan Micra Kit Car) [9]
104 Michael Cahill/Conor Lappin (Ford Escort) [11R]
105 TJ Shiel/Tayto Kilmartin (Toyota Corolla GT) [11R]
106 Jack Maguire/Keith McConnon (Honda Civic) [11F]
107 Gearoid Leonard/Dylan Burke (Honda Civic EK4) [11F]
108 John O'Rourke/Tomas Scallan (Opel Adam R2) [RC4]
109 Wayne Evans/Sion Jones (Ford Escort RS1800) [RC4]
110 Maurice Meskell/Stephen Meskell (Ford Escort RS1600) [C5]
111 Duncan Williams/Guy Weaver (Ford Escort RS1800) [C5]
112 Gareth Lloyd/David Byrne (BMW M3) [C5]
113 Luke McCarthy/Brian Duggan (Ford Escort RS1800) [K]
114 Hugh McQuaid/Martin Byrne (Ford Escort Mk2) [11F]
115 Philip Rogers/Anthony O'Sullivan (Ford Escort Mk2) [RC2]
116 Anthony Masterson/Tommy Clinton (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [22]
117 Fergal McGuigan/Michael Moran (Ford Escort) [13]
118 Keith Costello/Sara McFadden (Ford Fiesta) [RC4]
119 Cathal Keane/Anthony McDonald (Honda Civic) [11F]
120 Cathal Mullins/Darragh Mullins (Honda Civic EK4) [9]
121 Richard Hickey/Richard Davis (Toyota Corolla Twincam) [11R]
122 Peadar Walsh/Grace Walsh (Ford Escort RS1600) [11F]
123 Craig Macwilliam/Guy Macwilliam (Ford Escort RS1600) [16]
124 Austin Snow/John Henderson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [15]
125 Cathal Greaney/TBA (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [15]
126 Gerry McIntyre/Paul Clarke (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4) [20]
127 Christy McLaughlin/Garth Neill (Honda Civic EK4) [11F]
128 Eamonn McCarthy/Lisa Knox (Honda Civic) [11F]
129 JP Logue/James Logue (Honda Civic) [11F]
130 Noel Doyne/James Murtagh (Ford Escort) [11F]
131 David Goose/Ciara Duggan (Ford Escort RS1800) [16]
132 Alan Watkins/Eoghan McCarthy (Ford Escort RS2000) [D3]
133 Letisha Conn/Tbc (Ford Fiesta) [22]
134 Iarla Carty/Jack Carty (Vauxhall Nova) [17]
135 Trevor Wilson/Paul Mulholland (Porsche 911) [RC2]
136 Noel Lappin/Sean Mitchell (Ford Escort Mk2) [11R]
137 Ryan Brennan/Paddy Lyons (Toyota Corolla Twincam) [11R]
138 Cian Hynes/Oisin Hynes (Honda Civic Type R) [22]
139 Ian Lawlor/Brian Hutton (Peugeot 208 R2) []
140 Brendan Dowling/Liam Grant (Toyota Corolla Twin Cam) [11R]
141 Gearóid O'Regan/Brian Martyn (Honda Civic Type R) [13]
142 Sam Leech/Barry Attridge (Opel Corsa) [10]
143 Adrian Jnr Quinn/TBA (Renault Clio) [RC2]
144 Davin Orr/Martin McBrearty (TBA) []

Juniors
J1 Jack McKenna/Damien Doherty (Honda Civic) [16]
J2 John Michael Kennelly/TBA (Honda Civic) [16]
J3 Darragh O'Donovan/Michael White (Honda Civic) [16]
J4 Jason Gorham/Aron Connaire (Honda Civic) [16]
J5 Robbie O'Hanlon/Oisín Joyce (Honda Civic) [16]
J6 Ben McIntyre/Andrew Wedlock (Honda Civic EK4) [16]
J7 Barry McIntyre/Conor O'Connell (Honda Civic EK4) [16]
J8 Oisín Coffey/Lorcan Ronan (Mitsubishi Mirage RS) [16]
J9 Seamus Browne/Oran Taylor (Honda Civic) [16]
J10 Stephen Gallagher/Chloe Kelly (Honda Civic VTi) [16]
J11 Dara Bonner/TBA (Honda Civic) [16]

Entry List Updates: https://www.shannonsportsit.ie/evo/Public?action=list&event=IE-GLWY-GY23

2023 Corrib Oil Galway International Rally Press Release 2

Posted: January 6, 2023 11:02 AM

The 2023 Corrib Oil Galway International Rally is just four weeks away and over 130 entries have been received to date. Among those entered are last years winners John Moffett and Andy Hayes (Hyundai i20 R5) who had a highly successful 2022, becoming Tarmac Champions along the way. Moffett’s big rivals from last years Galway International, Welsh crew Meirion Evans & Jonathan Jackson, are also looking to take part in their usual Melvyn Evans Motorsport prepared VW Polo. Also among the entries to date are Sam Moffett, Cathan McCourt, Tim McNulty, Gareth MacHale, Robert Barrable, Jason Black, Gary Kiernan, and Kevin Eves. Early local entries include Justin Comer, Pat Kelly, John Coughlan, Des Lyons, and Dylan Donoghue.

The two-day event will see centralised service in the town of Loughrea, with short road sections between the special stages. The Rally Headquarters is the Connacht Hotel on the old Dublin Road and will be an excellent base for the bank holiday weekend in February. The Hotel website is www.theconnacht.ie for anyone wishing to make a reservation at a competitive rate. Marshals are always required, and the club would be grateful to anyone who wishes to help in this way. Interested parties can contact the chief marshal on 087-2870702.

Rally is the opening round of the various categories of the Tarmac Championship, bar the Synergy Motorsport Historic Championship which is heading for round two. The Historic category is particularly well supported with over twenty entries received so far. Crews looking to take part are reminded to get their entries in with the closing date only a few weeks away.

2023 Corrib Oil Galway International Rally Press Release 1

Posted: January 2, 2023 4:42 PM

The 2023 Galway International Rally, the traditional season opener for tarmac rallying in Ireland, will take place on February 4th & 5th. This will be the 45th running of the event since it began in 1971 and next year it will have the benefit of falling on the weekend of Irelands newest bank holiday weekend.

Galway Motor Club are pleased to announce that Corrib Oil will once again be title sponsors for the rally. This very successful local business have been title sponsors since 2016 and the partnership has proved to be a very successful one for both sides. The rally headquarters for the 2023 rally will again be the Connacht Hotel on the Old Dublin Road, Galway.

Gary Leonard returns to the role as Clerk of the Course and the event will contain fifteen special stages over two days with centralised servicing. The Corrib Oil Galway International Rally will once again be the opening round of the 2023 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and the second round of the Synergy Motorsports 2023 ITRC Historic Rally Championship.

On Line Entry / Regulations / Sportity

Posted: January 2, 2023 4:33 PM

On line Entry

Shannon Sports IT (EVO On line Entry)

GIR2023
(Download Sportity from App Store)

https://webapp.sportity.com/channel/GIR2023