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.
