Morrows edge out Cork pair in dramatic finish
Series leaders, Michael O‘Brien/Greg Shinnors (Ford Focus WRC) were 45 seconds further behind in third.
On the opening stage at Cambaun, Morrow led O’Brien by five seconds with Murphy four seconds further behind. The rally leader clipped a rock but managed to get away unscathed while Murphy’s similar altercation knocked his confidence. Morrow was fastest in Kilworth and arrived at the Mitchelstown service with a lead of 12 seconds as Murphy became his closest pursuer. O’Brien was a second behind Murphy but was worried about the transmission. Vincent McAree (Mitsubishi) was forced to make a hasty wheel change after he discovered a puncture prior to start of S.S. 2 — he slotted into fourth from Daniel O’Brien (Ford Focus) and Gerard Lucey (Mitsubishi). In the two wheel drive category, Shane McGirr (Starlet) held a 12 second lead over the Citroen of Desi Henry.
The third test at Kilcoran allowed Morrow to stretch his lead to 16 seconds with Murphy continuing in second – nine ahead of O’Brien. Henry cut McGirr’s lead in the two-wheel drive to just three seconds, the latter reckoned his tyre compound was too hard.
In the Junior section, a six second margin covered the trio of Daniel Cronin, Dean Raftery and Conor McCarthy. Cronin damaged a wish bone on the first stage, Raftery, the most recent Billy Coleman nominee, lost time with a puncture on S.S. 2 while McCarthy would have preferred a more suitable gearbox.
A rear right wheel puncture cost Morrow 20 seconds and the lead on S.S. 4 as Murphy moved to the top of the leader board – seven seconds ahead of Morrow with O’Brien a similar time frame behind in third. On the penultimate stage, Murphy’s Mitsubishi suffered some brake troubles and Morrow with another fastest time, reduced the Cork driver’s lead to a second.
The repeat of the stage at Kilcoran decided the outcome of the rally with Morrow taking victory by just three seconds even though he had a half spin. Murphy had to be content with second while O’Brien’s third ensures he retains the Valvoline series lead. Two seconds separated the next trio with Martin Cairns (Subaru) improved on the final loop to take fourth from Daniel O’Brien and Josh Moffett. Gerard Lucey (Mitsubishi) and Liam Regan (Peugeot 206 WRC) were seventh and eighth respectively. The two wheel drive category was won by Desi Henry (Citroen) finishing 18 seconds ahead of Shane McGirr (Starlet), who lost time with a puncture on the final stage and this duo completed the top ten. Micky Conlon (Escort), who spun twice on S.S. 4, took third in the two-wheel drive category.
Meanwhile, Dean Raftery (Honda Civic) won the Junior section, he finished eight seconds ahead of Daniel Cronin, also in a Honda but Conor McCarthy retired with a broken driveshaft on S.S. 5. With their latest win, Raftery and co-driver, Aileen Kelly have secured the Junior Championship title.
Meanwhile, Cork racing driver, Matt Griffin and his team mate, Duncan Cameron failed to start either of the two races in the International GT Open series at Jerez in Spain after a crash.
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