1^st (3) Tim McNulty/Anthony Nestor (Impreza WRC) 52.52

2^nd (1) Ray Breen/Andrew Purcell (Focus WRC) 52.58

3^rd (2) Charlie Donnelly/Paddy Toner (Corolla WRC) 53.08

4^th (4) Patrick Elliott/Rory Kennedy (Impreza WRC) 53.39

5^th (5) Niall Maguire/Paul McLaughlin (Impreza WRC) 54.57

6^th (9) Martin Doherty/Andrew Cullen (Impreza WRC) 55.02

7^th (10) Aaron MacHale/Eugene O'Donnell (Corolla WRC) 55.03

8^th (11) Noel Redmond/Sean Mullally (Impreza WRC) 55.11

9^th (14) Kevin & Martin Kelleher (Lancer N) 55.37

10^th (8) JJ Fleming/Robbie Ward (Focus WRC) 56.01

11^th (16) Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy (Impreza N) 56.13

12^th (17) Andrew Stewart/Paddy Robinson (Lancer N) 56.17

Tim McNulty left service at Dingle Harbour after stage 6 8s behind Ray Breen in his Focus WRC. In stage 7 McNulty pulled out all the stops, his Pierse backed Impreza WRC S11 12s faster than Breen through the classic Slea Head stage.  Charlie Donnelly was 4s slower than McNulty and was faster than Breen but couldn’t quite get his nose in front.  There were no real changes through the final stage, the short Brandon Creek.  McNulty was fastest, by 1s from Donnelly with Breen a further 1s back. Close stuff indeed, but there was no denying McNulty victory in his new Subaru.  Tim commented at the sunbathed finish here at the Skellig Hotel. “I enjoyed the day, these National Championship boys are certainly going hard. I was a little bit cautious, playing with the set up in the car as well, but we stayed in contact and gave it a go towards the end. We’re not quite right for the Circuit of Ireland just yet, but we’re more ready than yesterday!” 

The turning point of the rally was probably stage 7.  Ray Breen had led from the start.  Most of the stages had been wet and Ray played it a little bit cautious for that stage 7, Slea Head. He had intermediate tyres on his Focus WRC although he had slicks as spares, but anyway he made a wrong choice and lost those few valuable seconds which was to cost him victory. The main consolation for Breen who is the current Dunlop National champion, is that he got maximum points for the rally as McNulty is not registered.  Charlie Donnelly continues to lead the championship as he won in Mayo and was 2^nd here.  When asked about the day’s rally Charlie commented. “I really enjoyed the afternoon. The last few stages were fantastic but I need to waken up in the mornings!” 

Charlie’s brother Eugene, current Tarmac Champion, was standing beside the Corolla and he gave a small smile and said. “That seems to run in the family!”

Patrick Elliott was really competitive through the day, his times always close to the top of the sheet. He lost time on the first stage with a spin, Patrick saying that when the Prodrive engineer looked at the data card he had lost nearly 40s. Apart from that he had a good day. Former Champion Niall Maguire was 5^th and he said. “It was a tough rally, there is some speed now”.  Martin Doherty was a very solid 6^th place. Aaron MacHale 7^th and coming to grips with the Corolla WRC.  Noel Redmond bedded in to his new Impreza to take 8^th. 

Kevin & Martin Kelleher from Clonakilty were 9^th and won the group N category in their Lancer. Co driver Martin said at the finish. “It was a fantastic day. We were a bit nervous when we saw the times for the first couple of stages but then it went well. The fast stuff suited us better. Slea Head was just fantastic”.  Alan Ring rounded off the top 10 and secured 2^nd in group N. Willie Fannin was 3^rd gpN and 12^th o/a. Andrew Stewart 13^th and 4^th group N. Tadgh Linehan finished just inside the top 15 in his Bio Tech Impreza following some tyre problems earlier in the day.  Sandwiched in there is JJ Fleming in his Focus WRC. He was 11^th following some niggly problems during the day but also some good times.  Donegal man Mark Alcorn finished 16^th overall and was best 2 wheel drive in his Corolla finishing on a total of 57.27 with Maurice Moffett next up 2 wheel drive in his Starlet on a total of 58.07.

Finally for now well done to Clerk of the Course Donal Lynch and all his hard working Kerry MC team and our thanks to all who helped and supported the RallyNews service. Our thanks also to Noel Clark, Martin Walsh and Dougie Hughes.  BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net