Although they dropped time on today's opening stage, Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC) have extended their advantage through the second leg of the Letterkenny based Topaz Donegal International Rally, that consisted of eight stages.

Kevin Lynch and Allan Harryman in a Subaru WRC lead the Shell Donegal International Rally at the end of the opening leg.

Rally Ireland has been won by Eugene Donnelly and Paul Kiely.

Derry driver Eugene Donnelly and co-driver Paul Kiely have won the Shell Donegal International Rally for the second year in succession.

Setting the pace on the opening stage, Andrew Nesbitt in his ADL backed Subaru led throughout the opening leg of the Shell Donegal International Rally.