Cronin crash puts O’Mahony in clear

There was a dramatic finish to the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally in Clonakilty, with Carrigaline’s Brian O’Mahony and Mayo co-driver John Higgins (Subaru WRC) coming through to take the honours.

Throughout yesterday’s six stages they were embroiled in a fascinating battle for supremacy with the Subaru WRC of Ballylickey’s Denis Cronin and Coleman Hurley.

After overcoming an overnight deficit of 28.8 seconds, O’Mahony went in front on SS10 — but then lost the lead on the penultimate stage.