Precision drive sees Murphy land Forest title

Knowing exactly what was required, it was a case of precision rather than pace that helped Cork driver Owen Murphy land his second National Forest title in three years as his fourth place points finish on the Glens of Antrim Rally secured the Valvoline Irish Forest Rally Championship.

Co-driven by Anthony Nestor, the Ovens driver stayed out of trouble and while one of his fellow title protagonists, Antrim’s Desi Henry (Mitsubishi) and his Millstreet co-driver Liam Moynihan won the rally, it wasn’t enough to deny Murphy the national title — albeit on a tie-break.

On the opening stage Martin Cairns (Subaru WRC) was 2.5 seconds faster than Moffett with Kenny McKinstry (Subaru WRC) two tenths of a second further behind followed by Henry and Murphy. The second stage saw Henry take over at the top from another championship contender Josh Moffett, who was three tenths of a second behind, Murphy was fifth.