West Cork Rally - 18-19 Mar 23

Clonakilty classic in prospect as ITRC hits West Cork

Posted: March 13, 2023 3:34 PM

Does rallying get any better than this? I really don’t know if it does. Last month’s Galway International Rally made quite the statement - the 2023 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship is more than capable of living up to last year’s ultra-high standards.

With round one whetting the appetite for more Irish Tarmac action, crews have signed up in numbers to March’s West Cork International Rally. Clonakilty’s Saint Patrick’s weekend extravaganza has become a firm favourite among competitors and fans alike and this year’s edition will be no exception.

Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes return to West Cork hoping to defend an impressive win 12 months ago. Indeed, that win is looking all the more important for their championship defence after Meirion Evans and Jonathan Jackson proved in Galway that their Ulster Rally win was no one-off.
Evans and his Volkswagen Polo R5 looked supremely comfortable on Galway’s drying stages throughout the final day. The Welsh duo set the pace and avoided any dramas to claim their first victory in the south of Ireland. They have risen to the challenge of outpacing the flamboyant flyer that is Moffett and his Hyundai workhorse.
Josh wasn’t the only Moffett loitering at the top of Galway’s standings last month. Sam Moffett and Keith Moriarty returned to Irish Tarmac’s top category in quite some style. A brand new Hyundai i20 Rally2 packed a punch to set the fastest time on Galway’s opening stage. Third place was their eventual result on round one of the Samdec Security Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. Sam seemed happy with his weekend’s work, knowing full well he’ll be even more competitive after gaining more experience of his Hyundai.
Cathan McCourt and Robert Barrable flirted with Galway’s rally lead. Their two Citroen C3 Rally2s looked seriously smooth with times that showed it was as racey as it gets. The French brand is back in fashion and Jonny Greer showed last year that it can be a West Cork contender.
McCourt, Barrable, and Greer are seeded fourth, sixth, and seventh respectively while Desi Henry looks like another to join Citroen ranks in West Cork. Henry has shown his rally-winning potential but is searching for a change in fortune in the Samdec Security Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
You would be a fool to discount any of these crews from a West Cork win and we still haven’t mentioned the Clonakilty locals. Or a certain Callum Devine, who led last year’s event at its halfway point.
Devine looked out of sorts in Galway. His Polo R5 was feeling under the weather and fifth place was not the result he was hoping for on round one. The 2022 Rally of the Lakes winner will take confidence from his inspired Midland Moto Stages Rally win at the start of March.

Mark Alcorn stole the modified show on round one. The erratic Ford Escort Mk2 pilot rode his luck at times but his epic pace powered him home to a one-minute, seven-second victory. Jason Black sealed a runner-up finish in his freshly upgraded Toyota Starlet while Kerry’s Conor Murphy and Sean Collins grabbed third.
Gary Kiernan and Kevin Eves had weekends to forget but they’ll be back at the sharp end in West Cork.
Daniel McKenna, Ed O’Callaghan, 2022 title contender Colin Byrne, and West Cork faithful Frank Kelly are more leading names to feature in McEvoy Motorsport’s star-studded modified category.

Meirion Evans and Neil Williams share a win apiece after Synergy Motorsport Engineering’s opening two Historic Championship rounds. Two strong results for the Ford Escort RS1800 pairing of Duncan Williams and Guy Weaver have given them an early lead in the championship standings though.
All three are heading to West Cork with Mark Falvey and Sebastian Ling completing the Synergy Motorsport Engineering series’ top five.
30 Historic crews are set to take on West Cork with Ford Escorts, BMWs, Porsches, and Subarus creating a delightful mix of machinery.

11 Junior crews will tackle the West Cork Rally including Paul Browne Plant Hire & Civil Engineering Junior ITRC leaders Robbie O’Hanlon and Oisin Joyce.

Clogagh and Ballinascarthy will be the opening stages on Saturday 18th March with service after every two stages. Ring and Dunworley make up the afternoon quartet of tests before the crews head to Parc Ferme. On Sunday the six stages are Shanaway, Sam’s Cross and Ardfield with service in between the loop of three stages.

The rally will be streamed live by HM Productions and a link to the action will appear on the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship’s social media accounts as well as on YouTube.

2023 Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally Press Release 3

Posted: March 9, 2023 3:31 PM

The 43rd Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally is just over a week away and the entry list has revealed a very exciting line up of drivers and machinery. The main field is oversubscribed with over 190 crews listed, and top of that list are Josh Moffett & Andy Hayes by virtue of their win in Clonakilty last year. The Hyundai crew will have their work cut out with many behind them capable of taking their crown. At number two is Callum Devine & Noel O’Sullivan (VW Polo R5) who led for a time last year before mechanical failure put them out. The recent win on the Midlands Moto Rally will have them in fine form heading to the southwest. Welsh crew and winners of Galway Meirion Evans and Jonathan Jackson are at three in a VW Polo and Meirion will be looking to emulate his dad Melvyn who won West Cork twice in the past.

The Citroen C3 is starting to get competitive on Irish tarmac and a number of examples are coming to Clonakilty, with Cathan McCourt & Liam Moynihan the highest seeded crew at four, they will be looking to build on a strong performance in Galway. Sam Moffett & Keith Moriarty are at 5 in the new generation Hyundai i20 N Rally 2, and Sam has competed on West Cork more times than anyone else in the top ten and always goes well in Clonakilty. Robert Barrable at six is a former winner of the event, and with vastly experienced Gordon Noble on the notes will be extremely competitive in the Citroen C3. Two more Citroens are at seven and eight, Jonny Greer & Niall Burns always compete strongly in West Cork and Jonny was unfortunate to retire on the final stage last year, while behind him Desi Henry & Paddy Robinson will be making the switch from Ford to the French marque.

Declan Boyle and Patrick Walsh are at nine in a VW Polo, with West Cork debutant Gareth MacHale & Brian Murphy in a similar car at number ten. Outside of the top ten there are more Citroens in the hands of Owen Murphy / Anthony Nestor, David Kelly & Dean O’Sullivan, and Cal McCarthy & Eric Calnan. David Guest, Jason McSweeney, Keith Lyons and Aaron McLaughlin are in Fiestas while Aaron MacHale & Derek Brannigan compete in a VW Polo.

The modified entry is very strong with the Escorts of Gary Kiernan, Daniel McKenna, Conor Murphy and Ed O’Callaghan being challenged by the Toyotas of Jason Black and Kevin Eves, with a number of other very fast drivers right on their tails. William Creighton & Liam Regan take a break from the JWRC to get some tarmac miles in the Fiesta Rally 3, the crew finished a fantastic seventh overall last year. Another interesting entry is that of Craig Breen & Paul Nagle seeded at 42 in the Ford Sierra Cosworth, which they campaigned on last years Killarney Historic Rally.

The Historic section is well supported with thirty crews entered, and favourites are sure to be top seeds Neil Williams & Anthony O’Sullivan who came out on top last year. They won’t have it all their own way though, as they are followed by Meirion Evans, Sebastian Ling, Duncan Williams, Ray Been, Fergus O’Meara and Mark Falvey. The Junior category has eleven crews entered with locals Darragh O’Donovan & Michael White the top seeds.

Clogagh and Ballinascarthy will be the opening stages on Saturday 18th March with service after every two stages. Ring & Dunworley make up the afternoon quartet of tests before the crews head to Parc Ferme. On Sunday the six stages are Shanaway, Sam’s Cross and Ardfield with service in between the loop of three stages. The first car will be due back at the finish ramp at 3:45pm.

Service over the weekend will take place at Darrara Agricultural College and the live rally results can be found on www.irallyresults.com. The rally will be streamed fully by HM Productions and a link to the action will appear on the Samdec Irish Tarmac Rally Championship YouTube channel shortly before the event. Killian Duffy’s popular onthepacenote.net will also be bringing end of stage coverage throughout the weekend.

Seeded Entry List

Posted: March 8, 2023 8:55 AM

1 Josh Moffett/Andy Hayes (Hyundai i20 R5) [RC2]
2 Callum Devine/Noel O'Sullivan (VW Polo GTI R5) [RC2]
3 Meirion Evans/Jonathan Jackson (VW Polo GTI R5) [RC2]
4 Cathan McCourt/Liam Moynihan (Citroen C3 Rally2) [RC2]
5 Sam Moffett/Keith Moriarty (Hyundai i20 N Rally2) [RC2]
6 Robert Barrable/Gordon Noble (Citroen C3 Rally2) [RC2]
7 Jonathan Greer/Niall Burns (Citroen C3 Rally2) [RC2]
8 Desi Henry/Paddy Robinson (Citroen C3 Rally2) [RC2]
9 Declan Boyle/Patrick Walsh (VW Polo GTI R5) [RC2]
10 Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (VW Polo GTI R5) [24]
11 David Guest/Jonathan McGrath (Ford Fiesta Rally2) [RC2]
12 Owen Murphy/Anthony Nestor (Citroen C3 Rally2) [RC2]
14 David Kelly/Dean O'Sullivan (Citroen C3 Rally2) [RC2]
15 Cal McCarthy/Eric Calnan (Citroen C3 Rally2) [RC2]
16 Aaron MacHale/Derek Brannigan (VW Polo GTI R5) [24]
17 Keith Lyons/JJ Cremin (Ford Fiesta Rally2) [RC2]
18 Jason McSweeney/Liam Brennan (Ford Fiesta R5) [RC2]
19 Aaron McLaughlin/Darren Curran (Ford Fiesta R5) [RC2]
20 Kevin Eves/Chris Melly (Toyota Corolla) [14]
21 Gary Kiernan/TBA (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
22 Jason Black/Karl Egan (Toyota Starlet) [14]
23 Conor Murphy/Sean Collins (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
24 Daniel Mckenna/Andrew Grennan (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
25 Edward O'Callaghan/Kirsty O'Callaghan (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
26 William Creighton/Liam Regan (Ford Fiesta Rally3) [RC3]
27 Neil Roskell/Andrew Roughead (Ford Fiesta Rally2) [20]
28 Kevin Kelleher/Michael Coady (Ford Fiesta R5) [RC5]
29 Denis Moynihan/Martin O Brien (Ford Fiesta R5) [24]
30 John O'Donnell/Aidan Friel (Ford Fiesta R5) [RC2]
31 Chris Armstrong/Martin Byrne (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
32 John Bonner/Johnny Baird (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
33 Barry Meade/Eamon Hayes (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
34 Colin Byrne/Stephen Quin (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
35 Chris O'Callaghan/Kaine Treanor (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
36 Frank Kelly/Lauren Kelly (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
37 Richard Moore/Richard Cleary (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
38 Jack Newman/Andrew Browne (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
39 Eddie Doherty/Tom Murphy (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
40 Conor Curley/Alan Whyte (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
41 James Ford/Neil Shanks (Citroen C3 Rally2) [RC2]
42 Craig Breen/Paul Nagle (Ford Sierra RS Cosworth) [15]
43 Vincent McSweeney/Michael Kearney (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) [20]
44 Brian O'Keeffe/Sean Hayde (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) [RC2]
45 Colin O'Rourke/Shane Gilhooly (Skoda Fabia R5) [24]
46 Conor McCarthy/Gavin Sheehan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [20]
47 Colm Murphy/Don Montgomery (Subaru Impreza N12B) [20]
48 Brian Brogan/Damian McGettigan (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
49 Mark Dolphin/Eugene Cronin (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
50 Tom Flaherty/Enda Hallihan (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
51 Gareth Irwin/Justin McCauley (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
52 Tony Rees/Ian Taylor (Darrian T90 GTR+) [14]
53 Paul Horton/Will Atkins (Citroen C3 Rally2) [RC2]
54 Keelan Grogan/Ayrton Sherlock (Peugeot 208 Rally4) [RC4]
55 Casey Jay Coleman/Adam Coffey (Ford Fiesta Rally4) [RC4]
56 Joseph Kelly/Ronan Comerford (Peugeot 208 Rally4) [RC4]
57 Chris Ford/Neil Coleman (Citroen C3 Rally2) [RC2]
58 Vincent O'Shea/Eoin O'Donoghue (Darrian T90 GTR) [14]
59 James Bradley/David Doyle (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
60 Gareth Black/Connor Dunlop (Toyota Starlet) [13]
61 John McCarthy/Kieran O'Donoghue (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
62 Eoghan Calnan/Conor Calnan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
63 Diarmuid Keohane/Peter Keohane (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
64 Corey Eves/Pascal McCarney (Toyota Corolla) [13]
65 Oliver Benton/Kyle Diffin (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
66 Ben Walsh/Dale Mc Gettigan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
67 Cian Walsh/Dylan Doonan (Toyota Corolla) [13]
68 Stephen Peoples/Alan Johnson (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
69 Damian Campbell/Declan McGarrity (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
70 Neil Phelan/Keith McCarthy (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
71 Mickey Conlon/Paul McPhillips (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
72 Dylan Eves/Sean Marsh (Ford Fiesta Rally4) [RC4]
73 Cian Caldwell/Liam Egan (Ford Fiesta Rally4) [RC4]
74 Ruairi McGarrity/Martin McGarrity (Citroen DS3 R3T) [RC3]
75 Mark Nangle/Domhnall Lennon (Subaru Impreza) [20]
76 Huw Jeffreys/Avarina Jeffreys (Subaru Impreza N10) [20]
77 Frank Rafferty/Chloe Kelly (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [20]
78 Gareth O Mahony/Jonathan Kelly (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
79 Bobby Hennessy/Sarah Hennessy (Honda Civic) [13]
80 Fergal Kelly/Thomas Treanor (Ford Escort G4) [13]
81 Thomas Randles/Cathal Quill (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
82 Seamus Ronan/Aoife Ronan (Honda Civic) [11F]
83 Aaron Browne/Derry Long (Honda Civic) [11F]
84 Eamonn McCarthy/Lisa McCarthy (Honda Civic) [11F]
85 Liam McMullan/Patrick Durning (Peugeot 208) [11F]
86 Shane Casey/Seamus McHugh (Honda Civic) [11F]
87 Cathal McCarthy/Mark McCarthy (Honda Civic) [11F]
88 Shane Stanley/Sean O'Crowley (Honda Civic) [11F]
89 William Kenneally/Michael Donovan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
90 Philip Cross/Patrick McCarthy (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
91 Jeremiah O'Flynn/Neil Flynn (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
92 Bob Moran/Eoin Collins (Ford Escort Mk2) [11R]
93 John O'Sullivan/Denny O'Riordan (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
94 Cathal Martley/Shane Gorman (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
95 Mark Donovan/Conor Moloughney (Ford Escort Mk2) [11R]
96 Alister Peoples/Patrick Patterson (Ford Escort Mk2) [11R]
97 Declan Campbell/Kevin Creighan (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
98 Tommy McDonagh/Paul Murphy (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
99 Paul Casey/Vincent Goggin (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
100 Steve Roberts/Aoife Roberts (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
101 Michael O'Sullivan/Mairead Duane (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
102 Michael Kelleher/William Buttimer (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
103 Brian O'Mahony/James Kingston (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
104 Kevin Flanagan/Mark Reilly (Mini Cooper S) [9]
105 Noel McCarthy/Joseph O'Sullivan (Ford Escort Mk2) [9]
106 Billy McCarthy/John Falvey (Nissan Micra) [9]
107 John S. Quill/Alan Hartigan (Citroen C2) [11F]
108 Shane Quinn/Patrick Brides (Ford Fiesta Rally4) [RC4]
109 Gerard Browne/Kevin Duggan (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
110 Christy McLaughlin/Aaron McCarron (Honda Civic) [11F]
111 Etienne O’Sullivan/Donnchadh Burke (Honda Civic) [11F]
112 Sean O'Carroll/Niall O'Sullivan (Ford Escort RS Cosworth) [20]
113 Paudie Deasy/David Duggan (Honda Civic) [22]
114 Bernard McGinley/Michael Sweeney (Toyota Starlet) [11R]
115 Jack Shanahan/Mickey Walsh (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
116 Fergal McGuigan/Michael Moran (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
117 Brian Doherty/Tara Duggan (Ford Fiesta R2) [11F]
118 Mike Neligan/John Hurley (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
119 John Joe Williams/Kenny Bustard (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
120 Paul O'Connell/Brian Quinlan (Ford Escort Mk2) [11R]
121 Hazel O'Callaghan/Ella Ryan (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
122 Anthony Fehily/Kyle Fehily (Ford Escort Mk2) [11R]
123 Eamon O'Connell/Paul Bruton (Ford Escort Mk2) [11R]
124 Roy Baldrick/Dermot Friel (Talbot Sunbeam) [13]
125 Seamus O'Donovan/Daniel O'Donovan (Honda Civic) [22]
126 Brendan Dowling/Liam Grant (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
127 Brian Grant/Darren Noonan (Ford Fiesta) [RC4]
128 Barry O’Brien/Declan Buttimer (Honda Civic) [11F]
129 Kevin Hickey/Derry Healy (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
130 Chris Brady/Jenny Warren (Honda Civic) [11F]
131 Keith Costello/Ken Blanche (Ford Fiesta Rally4) [RC4]
132 Patrick Calnan/Amy Gallwey (Honda Civic Type-R) [22]
133 Ian Horgan/Gary Lombard (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
134 Tom Dunne/Nicky Hegarty (Ford Fiesta) [22]
135 Gavin Rogers/Georgina Clark (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
136 Andrew James/Alec Morris (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
137 Gerard Seaman/Daniel Seaman (Ford Escort G3) [12]
138 Bernard Daly/Philip Doherty (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
139 Shay Byrne/John Kelly (Talbot Sunbeam) [10]
140 Gary Healy/Kevin Doherty (Honda Civic) [11F]
141 Richard Davis/Cathal Murphy (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
142 Patrick Lynch/Romain Beylouni (Opel Corsa) [10]
143 Alan O'Riordan/James Jordan (Subaru Impreza) [20]
144 Frank Hurley/Adrian Phelan (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
145 Barry McCarthy/Jonathan Carroll (Suzuki Swift GTI) [9]
146 Johnny Ryan/Niamh Ryan (Subaru Impreza) [15]
147 Pa O'Mahony/Shauna O'Mahony (Honda Civic) [22]
148 Nicole O'Brien/Pete Willoughby (Ford Fiesta) [22]
149 Donal Dinneen/Bryan Giles (Ford Fiesta) [RC4]
150 Sam Leech/Barry Attridge (Opel Corsa) [10]
151 Colm Forde/Ciara Griffin (Honda Civic) [13]
152 Dewi Price/Kevin Jones (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
153 Richard Hickey/Ken Carmody (Toyota Corolla) [11R]
154 Pat McDonagh/Seaghan Hickey (Ford Escort Mk2) [10]
155 Cyril Casey/Diarmuid O'Shea (Ford Fiesta) [22]
156 Aidan Hennessy/Andy Donoghue (Ford Fiesta) [22]
157 Rory Hennessy/Mark O'Regan (Ford Escort Mk2) [9]
158 Letisha Conn/Stephen Conn (Ford Fiesta) [RC4]
159 Pat Calnan/Ray Shanahan (Ford Ka) [9]
160 Amy Burke/Aaron McEvoy (Ford Fiesta Mk1) [11R]
161 Evan Maher/Tommy Downes (Honda Civic) [11F]

R162 John Forde/Brian Keohane (Citroen C2) [10]
R163 Evan Russell/Marty McBrearty (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
R164 Kieran Baverstock/Mick Lonergan (Honda Civic) [11F]
R165 Ryan McHugh/Declan Boyle (Ford Fiesta) [RC4]
R166 Fergus Hurley/Eric Deane (Ford Escort Mk2) [11R]
R167 Tommy Foley/Pat Knox (Honda Civic) [11F]
R168 Patrick McHugh/Pauric O'Donnell (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
R169 Derek Flynn/Killian Cronin (Honda Civic EK4) [22]
R170 Raymond O'Neill/Jason O'Connor (Ford Escort Mk2) [12]
R171 Mark Murphy/Damien Fleming (Toyota Starlet) [11R]
R172 Aaron Martley/Leona Martley (Toyota Twincam) [13]
R173 Daniel Kelleher/Sam Conway (Peugeot 106) [11F]
R174 Jason O'Brien/Ger Clancy (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
R175 Michael Cahill/Conor Lappin (Ford Escort Mk2) [11R]
R176 Killian O'Sullivan/Conal O'Sullivan (Honda Civic) [11F]
R177 Robert Counihan/Timmy Kelly (Toyota Corolla twin cam) [13]
R178 Seamus O'Grady/Kieran Rafter (Ford Escort Mk2) [13]
R179 Eugene Meegan/Paul McPhilips (BMW 1M CSL) [14]
R180 Thomas O'Rourke/Tom Scallan (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [RC2]
R181 Brian Hickey/Noel Murphy (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
R182 Ronan Creagh/Peter O Sullivan (Honda Civic) [11F]
R183 Tom White/Shane O'Dowd (Honda Civic) [11F]
R184 Ben Bowler/Pat Bowler (Honda Civic) [11F]
R185 Ray O'Sullivan/Derek O'Brien (Ford Escort MK2) [13]
R186 Aidan Long/Rory O'Donoghue (Subaru Impreza) [20]
R187 Shane Murray/Gary Hade (Ford Escort Mk2) [14]
R188 Greg O'Brien/Jacob Lennon (Honda Civic) [11F]
R189 Conor Wilson/Sean Marsh (Ford Fiesta) [RC4]
R190 Kevin O'Donoghue/John McElhinney (Bmw M3) [14]
R191 John Warren/Ruthann O'Connor (Toyota Corolla) [13]

Historics
1 Neil Williams/Anthony O’Sullivan (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2) [18b]
2 Meirion Evans/Dale Furniss (Escort Escort RS1800 Mk2) [19]
3 Duncan Williams/Guy Weaver (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2) [18b]
4 Mark Falvey/Ronald O Riordan (Ford Escort RS1600 Mk1) [19]
5 Sebastian Ling/Aled Rees (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2) [18b]
6 Raymond Breen/Michael Maher (Subaru Legacy) [19]
7 Fergus O Meara/Declan Casey (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2) [18b]
8 Wayne Evans/Sion Jones (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2) [18b]
9 Tom Clark/Alistair Wyllie (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2) [18b]
10 Rob Smith/Alun Cook (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2) [19]
11 Ross Forde/Arron Forde (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2) [19]
12 Will Onions/Dave Williams (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2) [19]
14 Adrian Evans/Martin Henry (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2) [18b]
15 Gwyndaf Evans/Jordan Jones (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2) [19]
16 Gareth Lloyd/David Byrne (BMW E30 M3) [19]
17 Wyn Hughes/David Davies (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2) [18b]
18 Todd Falvey/William Lynch (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2) [18b]
19 Trevor Wilson/Paul Mulholland (Porsche 911) [18]
20 Peadar Walsh/Grace Walsh (Ford Escort RS1600 Mk1) [18b]
21 Craig MacWilliam/Guy MacWilliam (Ford Escort RS1600 Mk1) [18b]
22 Philip Rogers/Eamonn Creedon (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2) [18b]
23 Peter Mc Cullagh/Patrick McCullagh (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2) [18a]
24 Ian Davies/Mark Crisp (BMW M3) [19]
25 Brendan McAree/Peter Farrell (Porsche 911) [19]
26 Robert Falvey/John Doody (Ford Escort RS2000 Mk2) [18a]
27 Alan Watkins/Eoghan McCarthy (Ford Escort RS2000 Mk2) [18a]
28 Philip Mckibbin/Tommy Commane (Ford Escort RS2000 Mk1) [18a]
29 John O Neil/Martin Gallogley (Ford Escort RS2000 Mk1) [18a]
30 Tim Lenihan/Garrett Lenihan (Ford Escort RS2000 Mk1) [18a]
31 George Swanton/Labhaoise Hyland (Ford Escort Mk1) [17]

Juniors
1 Darragh O’Donovan/Michael White (Honda Civic) [16]
2 Ben McIntyre/Andrew Wedlock (Honda Civic) [16]
3 Robbie O'Hanlon/Oisín Joyce (Honda Civic) [16]
4 Evan McEvoy/Ciaran O Sullivan (Honda Civic) [16]
5 Dara Bonner/Rosaleen Kelly (Honda Civic) [16]
6 Jamie ORourke/Conor Cross (Honda Civic) [16]
7 Daniel Chung/Eugene Buckley (Honda Civic) [16]
8 Kyle Browne/Daniel Hanratty (Honda Civic) [16]
9 Barry Mcintyre/Conor O’Connell (Honda Civic) [16]
10 Catherine Walsh/Angiee Michniewicz (Peugeot 206) [16]
11 Conor O'Driscoll/Cian Horgan (Honda Civic) [16]

2023 Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally Press Release 2

Posted: February 24, 2023 12:16 PM

The continuing popularity of the Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally is borne out by the fact there are over 200 entries received across all categories to date. The second round of the Samdec Security ITRC International Championship has attracted a lot of interest and amongst them are 2022 winners Josh Moffett & Andy Hayes in a Hyundai i20 R5. Josh won’t be short of challengers, as his brother Sam, along with Meirion Evans, Robert Barrable, Gareth & Aaron MacHale, Desi Henry and Callum Devine are just some of those entered. Local interest centres on David Guest, Cal McCarthy, Jason McSweeney, Kevin Kelleher and Owen Murphy.

The modified men are coming out in force as well with Barry Meade, Daniel McKenna, Gary Kiernan, Kevin Eves and Frank Kelly just some of the names throwing their hat into the ring. The Historic section looks like being a cracker with over thirty crews entered to date, among them being last years winners Neil Williams & Anthony O’Sullivan. Mark Falvey, Meirion Evans, Ray Breen, Duncan Williams and Sebastian Ling are just some of the other drivers in what is shaping up to be an extremely competitive section. Cork drivers Darragh O’Donovan, Robbie O’Hanlon, Catherine Walsh and Kyle Browne are amongst the junior entries so far. Prospective entrants are reminded that entries close on Friday 3rd March and to be on the published seeded list you will need to have your entry in by that date. Anyone wishing to enter this classic competitor friendly event can do so via the www.corkmotorclub.com website.

Speaking at the recent successful rally launch in Clonakilty, Clerk of the Course Steve Davis said “the planning of the event began in November, and the route for this years rally will be as compact as usual, using classic stages such as Ring, Sam’s Cross and Ardfield along with some sections not used for a number of years”. David Henry general manager of the Clonakilty Park Hotel said “this is our 21st year as title sponsor of the rally, and it’s a great start to the tourism season”.

The rally begins on Saturday 18th March with the first car leaving Parc Ferme at 9am to head to service followed by the first stage at Clogagh. After eight tough stages the first car will arrive at Parc Ferme for the overnight halt at 5.30pm. Six more stages follow on Sunday 19th with the first stage taking place just after 11am, and the winning car due back at the finish ramp at 3.45pm.

2023 Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally Press Release 1

Posted: February 9, 2023 11:07 AM

ork Motor Club are delighted to announce that entries will open at 6pm this evening (Thursday 9th February) for the 43rd running of the Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally which take place on 18th & 19th March. This iconic event always attracts a large and diverse entry on St. Patricks weekend, and this year promise to be no different. The rally will be a round of the following championships;

• Samdec Security ITRC International Championship (Round 2)
• McEvoy Motorsport ITRC Modified Championship (Round 2)
• Synergy Motorsports ITRC Historic Championship (Round 3)
• Paul Browne Plant Hire ITRC Junior Championship (Round 2)
• IPS Packaging Southern 4 Rally Championship (Round 1)

Steve Davis continues as Clerk of the Course for the 2023 ably assisted by a strong and experienced team. The Headquarters is the Clonakilty Park Hotel who are also title sponsors for the event. Associate Sponsors are Clonakilty Blackpudding, Calor Gas and Keohane Readymix while the service area will be centralised in Darrara Agricultural College. The rally follows a familiar format which has been very successful over the years, a total of fourteen stages over two days with almost 240km of closed roads and low road mileage.

The Historic Rally will begin on Stage 5, giving the Historic competitors the opportunity to start on one of the events signature stages, Ring. The Junior Rally will consist of all of Sundays six stages. The rally launch will take place on Sunday 12th February at the Clonakilty Park Cinema at 3pm and all are welcome to attend. The link for prospective competitors to enter the event can be found below:

Entries Open (Thu) 9 Feb @ 6pm

Posted: February 8, 2023 2:13 PM

Cork Motor Club

Rally Launch - 12 Feb @ 3pm

Posted: February 8, 2023 11:36 AM

The official launch of the Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally will take place on Sunday next, 12th February at 3pm at the Clonakilty Park Cinema.
Why not come along and see a display of cars, some interviews and a photo shoot.
Family and friends welcome.

Event / Club Websites

Posted: February 8, 2023 11:33 AM

West Cork Rally
Cork Motor Club