Donagh Kelly and Kevin Flanagan continue to dominate rally championship
They were in control through all nine stages and also collected the three bonus points for fastest time on the Power Stage to tighten their grip on the Vard Memorial Trophy.
Their Ford Focus coped best with the slippery conditions finishing one minute and 59.4 seconds ahead of Castleisland’s Alan Ring (Subaru WRC) and Newcestown co-driver Adrian Deasy. Clonmel’s Roy White and Dromtarriffe’s James O’Brien (MG ZR) were 54 seconds behind in third. Roscommon’s Cormac Phelan/Katja Auhl (Citroen C2R2) topped the Junior section. The Historic category was won by Niall Keane/Conor Keane (Talbot Sunbeam).
Kelly was quickest out of the blocks and led by 9.7 seconds after the opening stage. Yet, it wasn’t any of his World Rally Car rivals that offered the opening opposition.
In fact, that honour fell to a trio of Mk. 2 Escorts in the hands of Tipperary’s Barry Ryan, local driver Ed O’Callaghan and Donegal’s Manus Kelly, who were all within a second of each other. Ryan crashed on the second stage and by the first loop Manus Kelly was out due to a broken half-shaft leaving O’Callaghan to fly the Modified flag – from fifth.
Donagh Kelly led Maguire by 41.6 seconds, the former quipped, “The car feels really sharp.” Maguire was not as confident as his Subaru seemed slightly tail happy. By the end of the three stages Roy White (MG ZR) had slotted into third – 8.1 seconds behind Maguire. Meanwhile, Alan Ring lost time when he stalled the S12B Subaru WRC at a tight hairpin and then had throw the master switch to re-set the computer system. Ed O’Callaghan in fifth was followed by Clonakilty’s Kevin Kelleher (Subaru WRC), who struggled with clutch woes for the early part of the third stage.
Another trio of fastest stage times bolstered Kelly’s lead role, an overshoot by Maguire did little to help his plight. In the chase for third Ring got better of White, but there was only 4.4 seconds between the pair. Meanwhile, fifth placed Kevin Kelleher (Subaru WRC) was undecided on the advantage of a change of tyres. Having to contend with a misted windscreen on the first stage, Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC) battled back to sixth.
Maguire’s rally ended a few metres after the start of S.S. 7 when his Subaru ground to a halt due to a suspected electrical malady. Kelly powered his way through to the finish and out of a possible 92 points, he has now annexed 89 to become favourite to win the Triton series. Following Maguire’s demise, Ring claimed the runner-up spot – in addition, he gained two points for second fastest on the Power Stage.
Even though he spun on the final stage White won the battle for third with Kelleher (Subaru WRC) just 2.5 seconds in arrears. Kevin Barrett, who netted a bonus point from the Power Stage rounded off the top six.
O’Callaghan (Escort) took a deserved win in the Modified section as his closest rival Chris Armstrong concentrated on the acquisition of championship points.
Aidan Wray (Mitsubishi EvoX) edged out Pat O’Connell (Mitsubishi EvoIX) on the final stage to claim Group N honours while Wexford’s Graham Scallan (Mitsubishi EvoX) won Group R and secured a top ten finish.
Meanwhile, just days after his selection as the Dunlop Young Racing Driver of the Month for April, Jake Byrne (20) from Naas, extended his lead in the Northern Ireland Formula Ford Championship with a win and a second place in Saturday’s MRCCI races at Kirkistown.
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