Maguire title hopes rely on him rediscovering old magic in Sligo Rally

Triple national rally champion Niall Maguire has conquered the Sligo Rally on several occasions — as has his son Shane, who won last year — yet it has been nine years since Maguire Snr’s last triumph and, indeed, his last national victory.

Now, more than ever, the bell tolls for the popular Monaghan driver who needs a win to get his current Dunlop National Rally Championship bid back on track.

“From my current position, it will be difficult to win the championship. I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. “Declan [Boyle] has made a pretty good start, with three wins out of four, and his car is hard to touch. We’ll see what the next few rounds bring, you never know.”