UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 5

1st (6) Austin McHale/Brian Murphy (Corolla WRC) 13.23

2nd (5) Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Subaru WRC) 13.25

3rd (10) Derek McGarrity/Adrian Foley (Subaru WRC) 13.41

4th (7) Frank Meagher/Dermot O'Gorman (Focus WRC) 13.46

5th (9) Daniel & Michael Doherty (Subaru WRC) 13.53

6th (4) Patrick Snijers/Willie McKee (Impreza N) 13.56

7th (23) Ollie O'Donovan/David Moynihan (Legacy) 13.58

8th (20) Michael Barrable/Paul McGarry (Celica) 14.00

9th (18) Johnny O'Sullivan/Pat Cashman (Escort WRC)14.01

(12) Denis Biggerstaff/Robin McCandless (6R4) 14.01

Austin McHale stole a march on Andrew Nesbitt through stage 4 while on stage 5 Nesbitt came back hard at the Toyota driver and equalled his time. So that's the Subaru and the Corolla both clocking 2.38, which leaves McHale leading by 2s going into the 6th and final test. Austin reckoned he had a slow puncture when he finished the test and said it must have cost him some time. He reckons the Corolla hit a rut very hard and also touched a gatepost, which shows just how hard Austin was trying. Andrew Nesbitt made no real comment. Frank Meagher reported that he was on the grass briefly which probably accounted for his time being 1s slower. While McGarrity was 1s faster than his S4 time so holds on to 3rd place, and with Meagher 5s back, its unlikely he will close in for the podium position. McGarrity said that he has nothing but slick tyres, nothing else to choose from and can't really go much harder, as that is the wrong tyre for the conditions as they are now.

Max McKillen did not finish that stage, his Saxo reportedly colliding with a gatepost just before the finish slalom. The accident held up Denis Biggerstaff who got a re-run and recorded a really good time of 2.42, to keep the 6R4 on the leaderboard. James Cullen bashed the rear of his McKinstry Subaru on the railings in front of the grandstand and lost a few seconds, the Donegal man, now with Tony Kelly in the hot seat (the Minister had to head off on business) is on a total of 14.02, just outside leaderboard.

Daniel Doherty lost a few seconds when his Subaru went on to the grass. Patrick Snijers continues to set the gpN pace with Roy White still going hard, but 6s in arrears on that stage. Ollie O'Donovan is having problems with the rear left strut going soft. Eddie Kinirons was off the road and lost about 20s in his Celica. Richard Burns did not do that stage 5 as his Subaru was getting some work done to the gearbox. Freddy Loix entertained the crowds with a series of "doughnuts"...

More news to follow..BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON