Ryan Barrett and Paul McCann land Historic Rally

Omagh’s Ryan Barrett (Ford Escort) made light of his inexperience of the Killarney terrain, and guided by Paul McCann took a maiden victory in the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally. Moving into the lead on the fourth stage they finished the seven-stage event 45.1 seconds ahead of the Escort of Welsh ace Mel Evans and his Cork co-driver Sean Hayde.

The Cork/Limerick duo of Owen Murphy/Anthony Nestor (Sunbeam Lotus) were a minute and 14 seconds further adrift in third. Meanwhile, the local crew of Rob Duggan/Ger Conway (Escort) took a start to finish victory in the Modified category while there was a last stage win for Meath’s Michael Cahill/ Brian Cassidy (Escort) in the Junior category.

Evans was best over Moll’s Gap despite an anxious moment when the rear of his pristine Escort stepped out but he managed to curb the slide. Murphy was hot on his heels and even though he lost brakes some four miles into the iconic stage and also had a misfire, he was only 1.2 seconds behind.