UNOFFICIAL NAT. L/BOARD AFTER STAG3E 20 – LAST STAGE
1st (14) Gary McPhillips/Paul Sheridan (Escort) 2.30.06.4
2nd (32) Conor Harvey/Ger Callaghan (Escort) 2.31.24.2
3rd (19) Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Escort) 2.31.34.0
4th (22) Brian Brogan/Damien McGettigan (Escort) 2.33.10.0
Provisional: 5th Richard Moffett: 6th Damien Gallagher 7th Wesley Patterson:
It has been a fabulously exciting Donegal Rally this year and the result is no less momentous with Declan & Brian Boyle the winners in their Subaru, the first all Donegal crew to take victory since Vincent Bonner & Seamus McGettigan in 1983. Last year`s winners Sam Moffett/James O`Reilly gave the Boyle cousins a great run for their money but runner-up was their result this time. Garry Jennings/Rory Kennedy even overcame a small fire in their Subaru this afternoon on the way to 3rd place. Derek McGarrity in his Subaru seemed very comfortable with the stages this afternoon and finished a fine 4th ahead of Josh Moffett in 5th in his Lancer. Josh has won the GpN category ahead of Stephen McCann.
When Declan & Brian Boyle finished the Fanad Head stage with fastest time to win by 34s Declan said. `It is mighty to get the win. I really wanted this so much. It is a dream come true for me. Sam Moffett kept us under pressure the whole weekend`. Last year`s winner Sam Moffett commented. `Declan & Brian were untouchable, we were on the back foot`. In the Clonakiltyblackpudding Tarmac C/ship Declan Boyle gets extra points for leading after each leg and his total now is 79 points. Sam Moffett has 50 and Josh Moffett 42.5. Stephen McCann continues to lead GpN in the C/ship. Declan Gallagher, despite retiring his Starlet leads the Modified section on 57pts. Wesley Patterson is 2nd on 47 and Frank Kelly 3rd on 27.
The National Rally was no less exciting than the International and for Monaghan crew Gary McPhillips and Paul Sheridan this was a memorable win. When Daniel McKenna/Arthur Kierans retired from the lead on the High Glen stage this morning McPhillips commented. `I was able to turn the turbo in my head down`. Even a slipping clutch did not reduce the McPhillips momentum and he won by well over a minute from Conor Harvey. A last minute retirement in the National was Adrian Hetherington/Gary Nolan. It is believed their Escort engine cried enough which was poor reward for a courageous drive.
In the Historic Rally with 3 stages to go Seamus O`Connell/Mac Kierans in their Escort held a 4m lead over Andy Johnson/Jim McSherry (Vauxhall Chevette HSR). Aidan O`Connor/Ian Regan 3rd in their Escort. In the Junior Rally with 3 stages David Moffett/Fintan Sherry (Starlet) led from Patrick O`Brien/Thomas Nugent (Citroen C2R2). Andrew McTaggart/Pauric McGinley were 3rd in their Corolla.
Finally for now well done to CoC Eamonn McGee and all the hard working Donegal MC team plus volunteers from near and far for helping to make this huge rally run so successfully. Thanks also to all those who supported and helped with our RallyNews service.
BRIAN & LIZ PATERSON www.rallynews.net With thanks to Michael & Zoe Patterson:
