RALLY NEWS NO.3     Service after SS2...Saturday 11am

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 2 - MULLAGHANISH
1st (2) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Subaru) 14.48
2nd (5) Stephen Finlay/Rory Kennedy (Focus WRC) 14.55
3rd (6) James Cullen/Ellen Morgan (Subaru) 15.00
4th (8) Derek McGarrity/Chris Patterson (Subaru WRC)15.16
5th (4) Frank Meagher/Pat Moloughney (Escort WRC) 15.17
    (9) Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey (Focus WRC)15.17
7th (1) Ian Greer/Dean Beckett (Celica) 15.21
8th (3) Austin McHale/Brian Murphy (Corolla WRC)15.33
9th (7) Stephen Murphy/MJ Morrissey (Subaru) 15.42
10th (18) Donie & Tim O'Sullivan (Escort Cos) 15.45
11th (28) Hugh Dunne/Greg Shinnors (Legacy) 16.02
12th (19) Johnny O'Sullivan/Sean Moriart(EscortWRC)16.12
13th (29) Mark Fisher/Gordon Noble (Impreza N) 16.15
14th (15) Frank O'Mahony/Hugh McPhillips (Impreza) 16.16
15th (23) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Nagle (Escort) 16.20

Andrew Nesbitt was fastest over Molls Gap and repeated the feat through the Mullaghanish stage.  Through that second test the Cross Refrigeration man stopped the clocks on 4.35, Stephen Finlay was closest on 4.39, while next up was James Cullen on 4.45.  Cullen is giving it everything and could hardly believe Nesbitt's time. 
Derek McGarrity recovered from a first stage "big moment" and clocked 4.46 - fourth fastest.  None of the drivers reported any major problems through that second test, the roads were dry and most seemed to be on the right tyres.
Austin McHale had a slight spin, nothing too serious, but at the same time, the 5 times Tarmac Champion slipped from 4th to 8th on that short 5.6 mile stage, just the sort of start Austin didn't want.

We reported several drivers in trouble at the end of Molls Gap.  Mostly with damaged wheels and punctures. These included - Bob Fowden, who arrived at the end of stage 1 with 3 tyres flapping in the wind.  He settled down well in stage 2 to record a time of 4.54.  Hugh Martin Doherty is still bedding himself in to the ex Boland Escort WRC, the Donegal man's total now 17.27.  Davy Greer made up his mind before the start that he was going to keep his brain in gear this weekend - it was Galway over a year ago since Davy had a real charge - he crashed on that occasion.  His total now is 16.35.  Pete Doughty recovered very well to set a superb time through Maullaghanish, his total now 16.40.

In the Ford Puma Championship English visitor Simon Maugher was fastest on the first stage by 4s from Killarney's Derek Daly, with Ian Chadwick 3rd, 38s behind Daly. Interestingly, this is Simon Maugher's first visit to Ireland - he won the UK Ford Ka C/ship last year - and to beat Derek Daly on his home stage was really good going. More news later..BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON..many thanks to Sammy Hamill & Ian Beasant who are flying about in Bertie Fisher's helicopter..and thanks to Tom Collins.