Limerick Circuit of Munster Stages Rally - 1 Jun 14

MOFFETT/O'REILLY MASTER MUNSTER

Posted: June 27, 2017 8:07 AM

Late entry Monaghan’s Sam Moffett and co-driver James O’Reilly won an eventful and somewhat controversial Circuit of Munster Rally, round four of the Dunlop National Rally Championship. They finished just 4.6 seconds in front of last year’s event winner Kevin Kelleher (Subaru WRC), who was co-driven by Ger Conway. Meanwhile, Steve Wood/Keith Moriarty (Subaru WRC) were a further 21.6 seconds behind in third. Reigning Dunlop champions Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru WRC) withdrew at the final service.

The Group N category was won Monaghan’s Josh Moffett and his co-driver John Rowan, they finished over a minute ahead of the similar Mitsubishi of Shane Maguire/Martin McGarrity. The Limerick/Monaghan pairing of Paul Purtill/Paul Kelly (Ford Escort), who were eighth overall won the Dunlop “Drive of the Day” award. On the opening stage Boyle was quickest and led Moffett by a margin of 7.6 seconds with Steve Wood (Subaru WRC) a further 1.9 seconds behind and 4.6 seconds ahead of top seed and last year’s winner Kevin Kelleher. Last round winner in Carlow, Hugh Hunter punctured his Subaru and decided to withdraw having lost too much time in the process. The aforementioned positions were changed hours after the event had finished as the organisers decided to give every competitor, apart from Boyle, the same time as McVeigh for the opening stage. McVeigh was originally shown as rally leader but it transpired that the time shown was incorrect even though it led to lengthy deliberations at the finish.

At the beginning of the second stage Boyle’s Subaru failed to start, he replaced a crankshaft sensor but had difficulty securing the bonnet and he ran out of sequence. Nevertheless, the Donegal man still set fastest time, however, he was eventually penalised 16 minutes for the late start as Moffett headed the time sheets – and based on the scratch time situation – was a mere 0.8 of a second ahead of Wood with Ed O’Callaghan (Escort) third and Kelleher fourth.

Although Boyle was again quickest on the third stage, Moffett arrived at the Limerick Racecourse service park as rally leader – albeit a mere one tenth of a second ahead of Wood in second with Kelleher 5.4 seconds further behind in third. Moffett reckoned the set-up of his Ford Fiesta was much too soft for the roads in west Limerick; Wood had to contend with fires beneath his Subaru WRC on each of the opening stages and had power steering woes on the third stage. Meanwhile, Kelleher’s Subaru developed a slight misfire through the opening part of the third stage but it cleared itself while he had a problem with a rear brake caliper.

Local driver Ed O’Callaghan (Escort) slotted into fourth after enduring a half spin on the second stage and brake disc troubles on the third stage. The Ford Focus WRC of Michael O’Brien was fifth followed by Paul Purtill (Ford Escort) and Paddy McVeigh - the reigning Dunlop championship leader, who had an overshoot on the second stage, was hampered by the lack of the digital read out of the transmission system. Josh Moffett (Mitsubishi) in eighth led the Group N category with Eoin Doyle (Ford Focus WRC) and the Subaru of Kevin Barrett completing the top ten.

Boyle’s misery continued on the fourth stage when his Subaru punctured the front left wheel, the car also stopped for several minutes towards the stage finish before he was able to re-join the rally. Although he set the quickest times on the fifth and sixth stages it mattered little and once he discovered the imposition of the 16 minute road penalty, he withdrew at the final service halt.

By that point, Moffett led Kelleher by 10.6 seconds with Wood a further 5.6 seconds behind in third. The rally leader was happy with the performance of his Fiesta after his service team stiffened up the suspension. New second placed driver Kevin Kelleher had an altercation on the sixth stage that damaged the rear of his Subaru as Wood enjoyed a clean run through all three stages.

O’Callaghan continued to lead the two-wheel drive category and held fourth position, his Escort handled much better following some suspension tweaks. Fifth placed McVeigh was still hampered by the lack of the digital read out. Michael O’Brien (Ford Focus WRC) occupied sixth with Roy White having a much improved run through the second loop slotting into seventh followed by Purtill. The top ten also included the Subaru WRC of Kevin Barrett, who was much happier with its performance after the suspension was stiffened and Eoin Doyle (Ford Focus WRC).

Elsewhere, Ed Synan (Escort) was eleventh and Josh Moffett continued to lead Group N – even though he clipped a bank on the fourth stage - he was 34.7 seconds in front of his nemesis Shane Maguire (Mitsubishi).

Out of the seventh stage Kelleher posted the best time and cut Moffett’s advantage to 9.3 seconds, however, Moffett responded on the penultimate stage and gained 1.6 seconds to lead by 10.9 seconds entering the final stage. The Monaghan driver almost threw it all away on the final stage when he spun, however, he managed to secure the spoils by a margin of 4.6 seconds. Kelleher took second and Wood was eventually classified third after the change to the times for the opening stage. McVeigh had to be content with fourth but he still leads the Dunlop series.

Roy White (MG ZR) came home in fifth place and Ed O’Callaghan (Escort) in sixth, co-driven by his sixteen year old son, Christopher, was the top local driver. Michael O’Brien (Ford Focus WRC) was seventh and Paul Purtill (Escort) in eighth spot won the Dunlop Drive of the Day award.

Maynooth’s Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC) netted his first finish of the Dunlop season in a top ten that was completed by the Ford Focus WRC of Eoin Doyle.

In Group N, Moffett had over a minute in hand over fellow Monaghan ace Shane Maguire (Mitsubishi) . For the third event in succession the Roscommon crew of Cormac Phelan/Katja Auhl (Honda Civic) won the Junior category. Victory in the Historic section went to the Kerry crew of PJ O'Dowd/John Young (Talbot Sunbeam).

Results

Posted: June 27, 2017 8:03 AM

1 Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly (Ford Fiesta WRC) 62m 01s,
2 Kevin Kelleher/Ger Conway (Subaru Impreza WRC S9) 62m 05s,
3 Paddy McVeigh/Paul Hamill (Subaru Impreza WRC S10) 62m 19s,
4 Steve Wood/Keith Moriarty (Subaru Impreza WRC S10) 62m 29s,
5 Roy White/James O’Brien (MG ZR S2400) 63m 19s,
6 Edward O’Callaghan/Christopher O’Callaghan (Ford Escort MkII) 63m 37s,
7 Michael O’Brien/Stephen Quin (Ford Focus WRC) 63m 43s,
8 Paul Purtill/Paul Kelly (Ford Escort MkII) 64m 24s,
9 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC S14) 64m 36s,
10 Eoin Doyle/David Long (Ford Focus WRC) 64m 51s.

Production class:
Josh Moffett/John Rowan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 GpN) 64m 57s.

rally.ie Two wheel drive award: 
Edward O’Callaghan/Christopher O’Callaghan.

Historics:
1 P J O’Dowd/John Young (Sunbeam) 49m 04s.

Juniors: 1 Cormac Phelan/Katja Auhl (Civic) 46m 08s,
2 Colin Roche/Sean O’Crowley (Starlet) 46m 28s,
3 Andrew Ryan/Tommy Hayes (Civic) 46m 55s.

Leaders After:
SS1 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B)
SS2 Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly (Ford Fiesta WRC)

Stage Winners
SS1 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B)
SS2 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B)
SS3 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B)
SS4 Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly (Ford Fiesta WRC)
SS5 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B)
SS6 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B)
SS7 Kevin Kelleher/Ger Conway (Subaru Impreza WRC S9)
SS8 Sam Moffett/James O’Reilly (Ford Fiesta WRC)
SS9 Paddy McVeigh/Paul Hamill (Subaru Impreza WRC S10)

Full Results: results.shannonsportsit.ie (Angus Sealy)

DUNLOP DAY 4 - Preview Courtesy of Dunlop Proud Sponsors of the National Rally Championship

Posted: May 30, 2014 12:07 PM

Defending Dunlop National Rally Champion Declan Boyle will resume his championship bid on next Sunday’s nine stage Rathkeale based Circuit of Munster Rally. The Donegal driver missed the last round in Carlow as his Subaru WRC wasn’t ­­­­­­­­ re-fettled in time after he crashed whilst leading the Rally of the Lakes. In his absence Tyrone’s Paddy McVeigh (Subaru WRC) has taken over at the top of the Dunlop standings – six points ahead of Boyle.

Last year’s Circuit of Munster winner Kevin Kelleher (Subaru WRC) is the top seed for the rally, that is organised by the Limerick Motor Club, however, the Clonakilty driver is in a race against the clock to have his car ready in time for the event that marks the mid-point of the series.

There’s little doubt that Boyle, winner of the opening two rounds in Ballina and Tralee, is the favourite for victory as he bids to win back to back Dunlop titles.

Welsh driver Hugh Hunter in his S11 Subaru took a hard earned win in Carlow to move up to fourth overall in the series and that should provide a confidence booster as he aims to stay the pace with Boyle. Third overall in last year’s Dunlop series Roy White (MG ZR) had a strong performance in Carlow where he punched in a pair of fastest stage times, the Clonmel man will be looking for a similar performance over the roads of west Limerick.

Meanwhile, Paddy McVeigh (Subaru WRC) will begin this round as leader of the Dunlop series, consistency is the key element of his championship bid. Steadily building his pace in the ex-Darren Gass Subaru WRC, overseas driver Steve Wood (Subaru WRC) lies in third place in the eight round series.

So far it hasn’t been a good season for Dunlop regular Kevin Barrett, who is still seeking his first finish of the current campaign. The Maynooth driver will be co-driven by Limerick’s Sean Mullally in the S14 Subaru WRC. London based Cork driver Michael O'Brien in a Ford Focus WRC was fifth in Carlow and he occupies the number eight berth.

Limerick drivers Ed O’Callaghan and Ed Synan, both in Ford Escorts complete the top ten. Last year, O’Callaghan was denied victory by a mere two seconds, he actually led the rally by 4.8 seconds entering the final stage but was edged out by Kelleher in the final stage decider.

Local honour is very prestigious in the Limerick event and Ed Synan, who was fourth overall last year will be aiming to turn the tables on O’Callaghan. The most recent bi-monthly nominee for the Billy Coleman Award, Josh Moffett (Mitsubishi EvoIX) is seeded at eleven and is the top Group N entry. The Monaghan ace will have fellow county driver Shane Maguire and current leader of the Motorsport Safety Group N award Neil Tohill, both in Mitsubishi EvoIX’s as his principal opposition.

Elsewhere, the entry list also features Tyrone’s Vivian Hamill (Ford Escort), Kilkenny’s Eoin Doyle (Ford Focus WRC), Limerick’s Paul Purtill (Ford Escort), Clare’s Alan O’Callaghan (Subaru WRC) and Limerick’s Frank Sweeney (Ford Escort).

Welshman, Merion Evans (Subaru N12B), and Galwegian Pat Kelly (Subaru) are also competing.

Other Limerick drivers bidding to make an impression are Aidan Walsh (Ford Escort), Kevin O’Connor (Citroen C2 R2), Ken Lyons (Ford Escort), Gary Reidy ( Ford Escort), Declan Wilmot (Ford Escort) and Ruan’s Anthony O'Halloran in an Opel Manta 400.

The loop of three stages are located to the north and south of the N69 near the villages of Kildimo, Askeaton and Pallaskenry. Servicing take place at the Limerick Racecourse and the finish ramp celebrations at the Rathkeale House Hotel are scheduled for 4.46pm on Sunday evening.

Slattery and Browne ready for Limerick

Posted: May 30, 2014 9:51 AM

Andrew Slattery and co-driver Andrew Browne embark upon the latest installment of their 2014 Dunlop Irish National Rally Championship campaign when they tackle the Limerick Circuit of Munster Stages Rally this weekend. Slattery and Browne head to Limerick on the crest of a wave having taken a convincing class 6 win in their Peugeot 208 R2 on the previous round in Carlow.

Andrew’s confidence in the Finol and Slattery’s Garage backed Peugeot 208 R2 has been growing rally by rally and he’s looking forward to the challenge the Circuit of Munster offers. “Heading to Limerick after taking a maximum points haul in Carlow gives us great confidence for the weekend ahead. There are some very quick class 6 cars entered this weekend but I’m up for the challenge and I’m looking forward to battling Richard Tannahill again as he’s also entered in his Peugeot 208 R2. We are tied at the top of the class 6 championship standings presently so hopefully I can pull ahead this weekend.”

The Circuit of Munster revs into life this Sunday when the first cars leave Parc Ferme at 8.45am on Sunday morning before the crews tackle 3 tough stages that are repeated 3 times over the course of the day. The first cars will arrive back at the Rathkeale House Hotel at 4.50pm. Andrew would like to thank all of his sponsors and you can follow the exploits of the team throughout the season by liking the Peugeot Total Ireland Rally Team Page on Facebook or by following Andrew on Twitter @andyslattery86.

Time and Distance Schedule

Posted: May 25, 2014 7:16 PM

Available at:

Limerick Motor Club

Seeded Entry List

Posted: May 22, 2014 10:15 PM

Car Driver Navigator Make/Model Class
1 Kevin Kelleher Ger Conway Subaru Impreza WRC S9 8
2 Declan Boyle Brian Boyle Subaru Impreza WRC S12B 1
3 Hugh Hunter Andy Marchbank Subaru Impreza S11 8
4 Roy White James O'Brien MG ZR 20
5 Paddy McVeigh Gary McElhinney Subaru Impreza WRC 8
6 Steve Wood Keith Moriarty Subaru Impreza WRC S10 8
7 Kevin Barrett Sean Mullally Subaru Impreza WRC S14 8
8 Micheal O'Brien Stephen Quin Ford Focus WRC 8
9 Ed O Callaghan Christopher O Callaghan Escort MkII 13
10 ED Synan Denis O'Connell Ford Escort Mk2 14
11 Josh Moffett John Rowan Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 4
12 Vivian Hamill Paul Sheridan Ford Escort MkII 14
14 Eoin Doyle Peter Brennan Ford Focus WRC 8
15 Paul Purtill Paul Kelly Escort MkII 13
16 Alan Callaghan Cathal McGrath Subaru Impreza WRC 8
17 Shane Maguire Martin McGarrity Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 4
18 Frank Sweeney Jane Cogan Ford Escort Mk2 13
19 Meirion Evans Jonathan Jackson Subaru Impreza N12B 4
20 Pat Kelly Jonathan Kelly Subaru Impreza STI 8
21 Sean Moran Mark Sullivan Toyota Corolla RWD 13
22 Aidan Walsh Jim Casey Ford Escort Mk2 13
23 Peter Cummins Tommy Cuddihy Darrian T90 13
24 kevin O Connor Donal Balfe Citroen C2 R2 MAX 6
25 Anthony O'Halloran Charlie McEnery Opel Manta 400 14
26 Eoin Woods Jonathan Carroll Ford Escort 13
27 Michael Carbin Stephen Thornton Mitsubishi Evo 4 20
28 Ken Lyons Paddy McDonnell Ford Escort Mk2 13
29 Gary Reidy Padraig Doody Ford Escort Mk2 14
30 Declan Willmot Anthony Nestor Ford Escort Mk2 13
31 Eddie Power Mark Wiley Toyota Corolla 15
32 Jason McSweeny Denis O'Mahony Mitsubishi Evo 9 20
33 Neil Tohill Gerard Tohill Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 4
34 William Cavanagh Olivia Coen Ford Escort Mk2 12
35 Jason Roycroft Nicole O'Shea Honda Civic EK4 2
36 Jason Costello Garry Carroll Ford Escort Mk2 11R
37 Mike Costello Paddy Costello Ford Escort Mk2 11R
38 Mark Dolphin Finbarr Quirke Ford Escort Mk2 14
39 Declan McBrearty Leon Jordan Toyota Corolla Twincam 11R
40 Tim Enright Stephen Buckley Ford Escort 13
41 Derek Butler Aaron O'Regan Honda SIR Vtec 11F
42 Gus Kearney Eddie O'Neill Mitsubishi Evo 9 4
43 Pat Price Patrick (jnr) Price Subaru Impreza N12B 4
44 John O'Sullivan TBA Citroen C2 14
45 Jonathan Folan Ger Myers Subaru N10 20
46 Paul Curley Jason Ollerenshaw Subaru N12B 20
47 John Danaher Martin Mulcahy Ford Escort 14
48 Joe Connolly John J Connolly Ford Escort RS1800 14
49 Tadgh O'Sullivan Damien Fleming Ford Escort Mk2 13
50 William Kenneally Finbarr Fogarty Ford Escort Mk2 11R
51 Dermot Riordan Jill White Honda Civic 11F
52 Johnny O'Connor Donal Balfe Citroen C2 R2 MAX 2
53 Cyril Wharton Helen Duggan Ford Escort Mk2 12
54 Adrian McElhinney Paddy Gorman Ford Escort Mk2 13
55 Johnny Curran Conor Curran Ford Escort Mk2 13
56 Tom Ryan Carrie Moroney Opel Corsa 11F
57 Kieran O'Connell Gerard Buckley Honda Civic Type R 7
58 Andrew Fanning Derek Gibbs Ford Puma S1600 6
59 Pat Ryan Jack Dalton Ford Escort 9
60 Andrew Slattery Andrew Browne Peugeot 208 R2 6
61 Eamonn Barrett Ken Kenneally Ford Escort Mk2 9
62 Kenneth Ryan Tommy Commane Ford Escort Mk2 9
63 Dan Kelleher Aileen Shanahan Ford Escort Mk2 13
64 Mike Walsh Ger Ryan Ford Escort Mk2 12
65 Denis Dineen Donal Dineen Ford Escort Mk2 12
66 Gerard Dineen John Nugent Toyota Starlet RWD 12
67 PJ O'Dowd John Young Talbot Sunbeam 18
68 Eddie Kennelly Jonathan Keane Ford Escort Mk2 10
69 Kieran Donohue Sharon Granny Egan Subaru Impreza 15
70 Michael P Kelleher John Doody Ford Escort Mk2 10
71 Mccabe Stephen Ford Fiesta rwd 11R
72 Justin Comer Adrian Comer Mitsubishi Evo 5 15
73 John Coughlan Mark Parsons Ford Escort Mk1 12
74 Liam Dennehy John Lynch Subaru Impreza STI 20
75 Eamonn McGuigan Michael Moran Ford Escort Mk2 12
76 Niall O'Connell John Liston Morris Mini 10
77 Ian Graham Liam Regan Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 20
78 Joe McCarthy Jason O'Brien Honda Civic Type R 3
79 Mike Dolan Derek Flynn Honda Civic 1.6VTI 11F
80 David Doherty David Doherty Peugeot 306 GTI 6 7
81 Edward Walsh TBA Subaru Impreza 11R
82 Mikey Walsh Michelle Walsh Honda Civic 11F
83 Hazel O'Callaghan Gary Cusack Peugeot 106 Cup Car 6
84 Jimmy Kiely Michael John O'Brien Honda Civic VTi 11F
85 Patrick Slattery Alan Mulligan Honda Civic 11F
86 Paul Browne Jenna Browne Honda Civic 11F
87 John Duffy John Egan Honda Integra 7
88 Richard Tannahill TBA Peugeot 208 6
89 Sarah Moynihan TBA Peugeot 106 Cup Car 6
90 Denis Bourke Patrick Nash Ford Escort Mk2 9
91 Shane Mangan John Murphy Ford Escort Mk2 12
92 Joe Hamilton Trevor Payne Hillman Avenger 10
93 Jason Tuthill Ben Teggart Ford Escort Mk1 10
94 Robert Ryan Tomas Ryan Honda Civic 11F
95 Calvin Kirby Breeda Ryan Honda Civic 2
96 Fitzgibbon Liam Keith Curley Nissan Micra 5
97 Aidan Mulcahy Des Flynn Honda Civic 11F
98 Paul O'Connell TBA Honda Civic 11F
99 Trevor Galvin Vincent Hilliard Subaru Impreza STI 20
100 Niall Shorten TBA Honda Civic 2
101 Niall Walsh TBA Honda Civic EK4 2
102 Pauric Duffy Barry Duffy Citroen C2 R2 6
103
104 Joachim Buckley James Foley Peugeot 306 S16 7
105 Pat O'Connell Moss Forde Toyota Starlet 9
106 Jarleth Conneely Micheal Hynes Honda Civic 2
107 David O'Flaherty TBA Toyota Corolla Twin Cam 11R
108 John Fitzpatrick James Comer Honda Civic 11F
109 Conor Galvin Tony McCarthy Honda Civic 11F
110 Paul McCann Tomas McCann TBA TBA ?
111 Francis Kelly Sinead O'Donavan Honda Civic EK4 2
112 Anthony Keating Kevin Enright Ford Escort G4 9
113 Ken Hogan Patrick Curley Honda Civic 2
114 William Meade Walsh Edwin Suzuki Swift GTI 9
115 Donal O'Sullivan Linda Curtin Suzuki Swift GTI 9
116 Grainne Caplis Adrain O'Gorman Opel Corsa 9
117 John Browne Sean O'Coileain Honda Civic 11

J1 Niall O'Sullivan TBA Citroen C2 16
J2 Cormac Phelan Katja Auhl Honda Civic Type R 16
J3 Ger Lyons Steve O'Brien Honda Civic eg6 16
J4 Colin Roche TBA Toyota Starlet 16
J5 Damian O'Reilly Damien McCabe Ford Escort Mk2 16
J6 Kenneth Quirke Seamus Skinner Honda Civic 16
J7 Andrew Ryan Tommy Hayes Honda Civic 16
J8 Ian Ryan Connor Cagney Honda Civic 16
J9 Andrew Sheehan Cian Corbett Honda Civic 16
J10 Shane Norris Charlie Boland Honda Civic eg6 16
J11 David Carmody Sean Hegarty Honda Civic 16
J12 Patrick Lawlor Cian Dineen Honda Civic EK4 16
J14 Anthony O'Driscoll Anne Marie O'Driscoll Peugeot 106 16
J15 Mark O'Leary Kieran O'Donoghue Toyota Starlet 16
J16 Shane Lenihan Colm Lenihan Honda Civic 16
J17 Jack Shealy Billy Ray Shealy Toyota Corolla GTi 16
J18 Darren Loftus Stephaine Loftus Honda civic 16
Late Entries will be taken

Regulations / On Line Entry

Posted: May 1, 2014 11:55 AM

Available at:

Limerick Motor Club
National Rally Championship Website