Donagh Kelly wins first National Rally Championship
In first place were the outgoing national champions, Declan Boyle and Brian Boyle, in their all-new Ford Fiesta WRC. They won by 30.6 seconds. Monaghan’s Niall Maguire and Enda Sherry (Subaru WRC) were third — two minutes further behind.
Kelly only needed a top-seven finish to land his inaugural title and signalled a ‘Sunday drive’ approach. Yet, on the opening stage he gave the impression of having thrown caution to the wind. He led Boyle by 20.9 seconds, the latter slowed by a spin and an altercation with a chicane bale. By the completion of the opening loop, Kelly led his fellow Donegal man by 18.3 seconds, with Moffett a further 32.3 seconds behind in a top six that also featured Niall Maguire (Subaru WRC), Declan Gallagher (Toyota Starlet), and Roy White (MG ZR).
