1^st (2) Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Impreza WRC) 1.15.54

2^nd (5) Adrian McElvaney/Paul Goodman (Impreza WRC) 1.16.47

3^rd (14) Cathal Arthurs/Jakes Kelly (Accent WRC) 1.17.07

4^th (8) Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Impreza WRC) 1.17.12

5^th (12) Sean Gallagher/Francis Kenny (Escort) 1.19.04

6^th (10) David Armstrong/Ciaran Kelly (Escort WRC) 1.19.06

7^th (15) Kevin Barrett/Barry Goodman (Impreza WRC) 1.20.08

8^th (26) Enda Keenan/Sean Moriarity (Escort) 1.20.15

9^th (21) David McNulty/Keefe Kilcoyne (Escort COS) 1.20.27

10^th (27) Maurice Moffett/Jason McKenna (Starlet) 1.20.28

Niall Maguire and co driver Paul McLaughlin were cool as cucumbers as they crossed the finish here at the Hillgrove Hotel to record Niall’s fifth win on his local event. The crew were never flustered all day and led from the start to win by just under a minute from Adrian McElvaney. This was probably one of Niall’s most convincing victories ever as he controlled the rally from the front, Niall saying at the finish "three brilliant stages, a fantastically well run event and of course I am pretty pleased to have won". For co driver Paul McLaughlin he had his own views, saying "the best Monaghan Rally ever". Adrian McElvaney had a good run to second, the young Monaghan driver the best of the rest today, but openly admitting to not having Niall Maguire’s pace.

The battle for third went right down to the wire between Ray Breen and Cathal Arthurs. Ray Breen drove like a man possessed over stages seven and eight,  2nd fastest overall in SS7 and joint fastest on SS8 saw him move eight seconds ahead going into the final stage, only two overshoot a junction letting Cathal Arthurs back into third place by just five seconds. Arthurs came here trying to get some more miles done in his Hyundai, but today’s fine result an indication of things to come.

Sean Gallagher was another one making a big effort over the final stages, Sean pipped Davy Armstrong by two seconds for fifth after what Sean described as some "flat out driving".

Willie Fannin looks to have won GpN from John Cairns after Dessie Keenan is reportedly stopped with a broken differential. Dessie had dominated GpN all day and held a strong top ten position into the bargain. Gabriel Martin got going again after his steering column collapsed but had no idea how much time he had lost after getting involved in a stage interruption, and could score some GpN Dunlop Championship points if he makes the finish. Also retired on the final loop is Mark Courtney whose Celica gearbox has cried enough.

The 2wd honours go to Enda Keenan after he blitzed the final couple of stages, and Maurice Moffett could not hear his pacenotes after the back box broke off. Well done to COC Michael McMahon and Monaghan Motor Club on another great National Rally, and many thanks to all those who have helped and supported with todays Rally News Service. Michael Patterson and Zoe Todd