Donegal’s Donagh Kelly (Ford Focus WRC) would happily trade all his rally wins and even his Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Championship and the Triton Showers National Rally Championship titles for success in the Joule Donegal International Rally that gets underway today.

In a close finish to the Modern Tyres Mourne Rally, round five of the Carryduff Forklifts Northern Ireland Rally Championship, Drew Stewart (Ford Escort) took a 12-second victory over the Mitsubishi of Andrew Stewart.

The weekend events north and south of the border provide an interesting contrast.

Tommy Kiely, driving a Ford Escort, took a comfortable victory in the Cashel Single Stage Rally. At the finish of the three timed runs he had a 32 second winning margin over the Escort of James Coleman.