1^st (4) Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Impreza WRC) 1.10.15.4

2^ND (5) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Corolla WRC) 1.10.38.6

3^rd (2) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 1.11.44.3

4^th (9) Donie O'Sullivan/Paul Nagle (Focus WRC) 1.11.55.7

5^th (12) Daniel & Michael Doherty (Impreza WRC) 1.12.46.5

6^th (16) Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Lancer N) 1.15.56.2

7^th (23) Garry Jennings/Paul Garry (Lancer N) 1.16.01.6

8^th (15) Aaron MacHale/Ger McMonagle (Lancer N) 1.16.33.3

9^th (18) Colm Murphy/Ger Loughrey (Lancer N) 1.17.13.3

10^th (33) Willie Fannin/Mike Courtney (Impreza N) 1.19.15.0

The Sloughan Glen stage was always going to be a tough one, thankfully the top cars got through unscathed. Eugene Donnelly is piling the pressure on to Derek McGarrity, Eugene 3s faster than the rally leader through Sloughan, 11s faster than MacHale and 21 up on Donie O’Sullivan. McGarrity commented at stage finish. "No bothers, all well". Eugene said "We chose too safe a tyre at the back, too conservative." Donie O’Sullivan reported a complete 360 degree spin over bumps while in 6^th gear. Very scary! MacHale reported no problems. While Daniel Doherty thought that he had his throttle position mechanism sorted, but the problem persisted through that stage, making life difficult for Daniel.

In Group N Garry Jennings stunned his rivals by being 6s faster than Dessie Keenan, 4 up on Aaron MacHale and 14 faster than Colm Murphy. Jennings in the Fisher Engineering Lancer said "There’s loads more to come". Willie Fannin reported his gpN Lancer to be seemingly down on power, especially leaving the junctions. We reported on the last RallyNews that Eoin Doyle was 12^th overall, in fact he was 11^th, despite a bad vibration at the front of his Impreza.

Some stories from outside the leaderboard include Andrew Bushe continuing to lead his class in the Peugeot. Andrew saying "Things are going OK but the big jumps are pretty vicious in this car, we’re landing on the sump guard at times, but Gerry McGarrity has set the Peugeot up brilliantly". Keith McQuillan is having a great battle with Alan (Pentti) Cathcart for the class, with McQuillan just edging ahead, but at a cost, the rear back strut mounts the worse for wear after this morning’s jumps. Dermot Hanafin has slumped to 23^rd following his ECU problems. Charlie Mavitty is back in 18^th after breaking the rear suspension yesterday. Brendan Connor is back in 24^th having lost time on day 1 when he had to change his Impreza gearbox.

Positions just outside the above leaderboard after stage 10 show Eoin Doyle in 11^th, Raymond McLaughlin 12^th. Guy Woodcock highest placed 2 wheel drive car in his Escort Maxi in 13^th. Cathal Rogers 14^th and recovering from an earlier puncture. Paddy White 15^th, his Impreza WRC still suffering oil dripping on to the clutch.

Some positions in the National/Historic part of the rally after 2 stages in to Omagh show Paul Barrett leading in his Escort G3 by 20s from Seamus O’Connell in his Escort with Jaye Jordan 3^rd in his Escort Cosworth. Jaye having been off the road briefly on the first stage. Patrick O’Donnell was 4^th. Gary Keenan 5^th and Charlie McCanny 6^th. In the Historics Frank Cunning led with his Mini Cooper from Steve Hall in his Triumph TR4 and Adrian Kermode 3^rd in his Porsche 911. Other Historics in the frame include Martin Ward in his Opel manta. Philip McDowell in an Escort, Alan Lemon in his Hornet, Mervyn Johnston in his Mini Cooper and Niall Creighton, Lotus Cortina. More news later. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON (with thanks to Michael Patterson & Zoe Todd) www.rallynews.net