Sam victorious in thrilling Moffett brothers’ battle

Monaghan’s Sam Moffett came out on top against younger brother Josh at the Clonmel-based Sepam Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally.

Sam and his Bandon co-driver Karl Atkinson took their CombiLift Ford Fiesta WRC to a start to finish victory and were 15 seconds clear of the similar car of Josh and co-driver John Rowan. The Welsh/Limerick pairing of Steve Wood/Keith Moriarty (Subaru WRC) were a minute and 21.1 seconds behind in third. Victory in the Modified category went to the Escort of Gary Kiernan/James O’Reilly while the Group N category was won by Clonmel’s Pat Kearney (Mitsubishi) and his Rosscarbery co-driver Alastair Wyllie.

On the opening stage Sam Moffett set the pace and led the Subaru of Steve Wood by 8.8 seconds with late entry Kenny McKinstry (Subaru WRC) a further 4.2 seconds behind in third. Michael O’Brien was fourth in his Ford Focus WRC – 2.1 seconds adrift of McKinstry and a half a second in front of the Fiesta WRC of Josh Moffett, who was 15.6 seconds off top spot.