REGIONAL Championships are important to former triple national champion, Niall Maguire, who is the top seed for Sunday’s Ennis-based Auburn Lodge Clare Rally, the fifth round of the Top Part West Coast Championship.

Defending champion Yvan Muller went clear at the head of the Green Flag British Touring Car Championship after the latest round was completed at Mondello Park, Co Kildare.

Johnny Herbert got his Le Mans weekend off to the perfect start after his Audi car qualified in provisional pole position last night for the 24-hour French classic.

A 14-year-old boy is recovering in hospital this morning after he was shot in the leg in a paramilitary-style punishment attack last night.