Moffett and O’Reilly take advantage as rivals crash out
It was a victory that was hard to predict as the Donegal duo of Declan Boyle (Subaru WRC) and Donagh Kelly (Ford Focus WRC) battled for supremacy beginning yesterday’s final leg 40 seconds clear of Moffett.
On their debut in a Subaru WRC, the Kerry/Cork combination of Alan Ring/Adrian Deasy finished two minutes and 29.3 seconds behind in second place. Monaghan’s Josh Moffett/John Rowan (Mitsubishi) were third. The National event was won by Roy White/James O’Brien (MG ZR). In the FIA Historic category Cork’s Denis Moynihan and co-driver Ger Conway (Ford Escort Mk. 1) took the spoils.
In slippery conditions Boyle eked out a lead of 9.6 seconds on the opening stage at Moll’s Gap where Kelly was his nearest rival followed by a flu stricken Sam Moffett (Ford Fiesta) third and Subaru WRC debutant Alan Ring next in classification.
A puncture soon after the stage start scuppered Darragh O’Riordan’s chances even though he set the best time on Beallaghbeama. Kelly was the pacesetter through the final stage of the loop at Caragh Lake. At the Fossa service halt Boyle, who reckoned his Subaru was down on power, led Kelly by 11.4 seconds. Moffett retained third, 17 seconds further behind as fourth placed Ring continued to acclimatise to the Subaru WRC. Colm Murphy (Subaru) led Group N – 48.8 seconds ahead of the Mitsubishi of Josh Moffett.
On the repeat loop Boyle opted for a tyre compound that proved far too soft and although he was quickest through the Gap, he lost time on the remaining pair of stages where Kelly was superior. Third placed Moffett was off the road briefly on SS 5 while O’Riordan in fourth had to remove the anti-roll bar before the sixth stage after issues on the previous stages.
Ring was fifth and Josh Moffett took control of Group N when Murphy bowed out with transmission woes. Boyle was quickest through the day’s final stage and led Kelly by 7.9 seconds. Moffett held third and O’Riordan moved into fourth with Ring fifth.
Yesterday, Boyle and Kelly traded times on the opening pair of stages but the duel ended when Boyle crashed on Stage 10, Lough Allua. Kelly arrived at the Kenmare service park with a lead of 49.5 seconds with Moffett second from Ring – prior to the start O’Riordan withdrew as he felt unwell.
Moffett’s plan of attack on the new leader yielded significant gains and Kelly’s lead was down to 25.8 seconds with two stages remaining. On the penultimate stage Kelly was caught out on a left hander and his Focus went off the road and out of the rally. Moffett (24) kept his composure to take victory as a delighted Subaru WRC debutant Ring was second and Josh Moffett third.
In the national category, Roy White overcame a number of niggling issues to take the laurels. He finished 33.2 seconds ahead of Wesley Patterson (Escort) with Declan Gallagher (Toyota Starlet) a further 28.1 seconds behind in third. Killarney’s Rob Duggan (Honda Civic) had a great drive and netted fourth and winner of Class 11.
In the FIA Historic category Denis Moynihan (Ford Escort) came out on top, his Cork nemesis Mark Falvey (Escort) crashed out.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
