Garry Jennings storms to victory in rain-sodden Galway
Co-driven by Donegal’s Rory Kennedy, it was a first Galway win for Jennings. At the end of the 15 stages they were three minutes and 25.4 seconds ahead of the Citroen DS3 R5 of Ballylickey’s Keith Cronin and his Killarney co-driver Mikie Galvin, who are the leaders of the series now confined to R5/S2000 type cars.
The Ulster duo of Alastair Fisher/Gordon Noble (Ford Fiesta R5) were 16.5 seconds further behind in third. The Dunmanway/Donegal pairing of David Guest/Paddy Robinson (Mitsubishi) won the Group N category.
Jennings was quickest through the opening stage north of Portumna – 6.8 seconds ahead of Declan Boyle (Fiesta WRC). Tim McNulty made an early exit - just a few miles after the start his Mini clipped the Galway scenery where a protruding stone pierced the radiator and brought instant retirement. The seven cars that were delayed by the incident received Roy White’s time. When the stage resumed Desi Henry (Skoda Fabia R5) managed a better time that elevated him to third. Tommy Doyle (Skoda Fabia S2000) made his exit at the same location as McNulty.
On the remaining stages of the opening loop Jennings set the best times with Boyle 21.4 seconds behind.
Despite an altercation with a road sign Boyle was quickest through S.S. 4 but Jennings was still 21 seconds ahead. The Fermanagh man stretched his advantage to some 30 seconds by the end of S.S. 5 and the duel ended when Boyle crashed on S.S. 6.
At the penultimate service Jennings led by a minute and 53.5 seconds as the battle for second intensified. Fisher punched in a good time through S.S. 4 and with the remaining two stages temporarily blocked, it was enough to promote him to second 5.4 seconds ahead of Cronin.
Acknowledging the loss of Boyle to keep the contest simmering, Jennings duly backed off on the day’s final loop but still managed to extend his lead that stood at two minutes and 27.7 seconds. Cronin, admitting that the opening stage of the loop didn’t find favour with him, duly slotted into second with Fisher a mere 2.4 seconds behind.
On yesterday’s opening stage Jennings stalled at the first junction but was still quickest. Second placed Cronin had a brief skirmish with the Galway scenery when his Citroen aquaplaned under braking. His rival Alastair Fisher also lost time with a spin. Meanwhile, Sam Moffett was quickest of the R5 drivers through the stage and fastest of all on S.S. 11. As Jennings increased his lead, Cronin was 6.2 seconds ahead of Fisher in the battle for second.
Intermittent wipers brought a little discomfort to Jennings. Cronin lost time with a misted windscreen on the penultimate stage but had enough of a cushion to secure second ahead of Fisher. Henry crashed on S. S. 13. Sam Moffett took fourth despite a spin on the penultimate stage that cost him some 30 seconds. White and Josh Moffettcompleted the top six.
Lisburn’s Wesley Patterson (Escort) won the National event from local driver Tom Flaherty and Cork’s Jason McSweeney (Mitsubishi).
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