1^st (1) Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Corolla WRC) 2.25.08.5

2^nd (7) Tim McNulty/Eugene O'Donnell (Impreza WRC) 2.25.50.3

3^rd (4) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 2.27.39.2

4^th (2) Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Impreza WRC) 2.30.13.4

5^th (16) Kevin Barrett/Barry Goodman (Impreza WRC) 2.32.46.6

6^th (12) Gareth Jones/Paul Goodman (Impreza WRC) 2.33.31.7

7^th (9) Steve Perez/Neil Dashfield (Focus WRC) 2.35.59.7

8^th (18) Denis Biggerstaff/Sean Moriarty (Impreza WRC) 2.36.07.1

9^th (23) Garry Jennings/Rory Kennedy (Lancer N) 2.36.32.2

10^th (59) Shaun Gallagher/Charlie McGinty (Lancer N) 2.37.24.8

Eugene Donnelly and Paul Kiely brought their Corolla WRC to a halt at the end of stage 22 Atlantic Drive and practically burst with joy and pleasure at having won this Shell Donegal International Rally for the 2^nd year running.  Tim McNulty/Eugene O’Donnell were just as pleased at grabbing the 2^nd podium place while Austin MacHale looked almost bemused to finish 3^rd in his Focus WRC.  Previous winner Austin started the stage convinced he was going to be 4^th, but Eamonn Boland’s Impreza stopped almost within sight of the flying finish line of the stage. Well, 2 miles from the flying finish, a broken transfer box the suspected cause but this is unconfirmed as yet.   Eamonn and Tim McNulty had been having the mother and father of all battles in the race for 2^nd place, and indeed Eamonn had set fastest time on the penultimate stage.

Of great significance also was Garry Jennings and co driver Rory Kennedy bringing their Lancer into the top 10 and winning the Group N Production category following a terrific battle with Cathal Rogers/Paul McLoughlin.  The latter pair had led group N overnight, lost it briefly to Frank Wray whose Lancer engine then expired. Cathal and Garry had a great battle over the next few stages but unfortunately Cathal was forced to retire his Lancer on stage 21 when the radiator burst following a big jump and heavy landing. 

No such dramas for winners Eugene Donnelly and Paul Kiely, Eugene commented. “I think this is the biggest achievement of my life, I can’t believe we’ve won 2 Donegal rallies, nothing can describe this feeling. For as long as I can remember Donegal for me has been the greatest rally, and now to have won it twice. Up against these guys, the best tarmac drivers in Europe, this is the pinnacle. We had our ups and downs over the weekend, others faltered, we kept the pressure on. I’m just delighted. Delighted as well with the way the car went.”  Second placed Tim McNulty commented. “Its been a fantastic event, its almost been a lifetime ambition to get a podium position in Donegal”. 

In Pirelli Tarmac Championship terms Derek McGarrity leads on 43 points with Eugene Donnelly now on 42 and Austin MacHale moves into 3^rd place on 36 points. Garry Jennings has moved into the lead of the Group N category on the Tarmac C/ship ahead of Aaron MacHale. Aaron finished just outside the top 10 today, 3^rd gpN behind Shaun Gallagher. Shaun struggled slightly towards the finish, his Lancer suffering a leaking head gasket.

 Derek McGarrity scored 4 fastest times out of the 6 stages today. Eamonn Boland was fastest on the 5^th and Tim McNulty fastest on the last stage.       

Other stories include – Cathal Arthurs retiring on the last loop of stages when his Accent’s transmission gave up. Maurice Gass also retired his Fabia, the car slid off the road on the slow tight corners at the end of Faymore, little damage but car stuck.

Ivan Stewart turned in a brilliant performance towards the end to win the National part of the rally. Co driven by Joe Friel Ivan’s Escort Cosworth finished just over a minute ahead of Damien Gallagher in his Escort. Finally for now many thanks to all who supported our RallyNews service, well done to all the hard working members of the Donegal \MC for putting on one of the best rallies in the country and indeed one of the major sporting events. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net

* LIVE SMS RESULTS: Text RALLY ITC to 53503 for Irish mobiles. Text RALLY ITC to 60066 for UK mobiles. (30cents Irl. 25p UK)