Motorsport: Kellys lead home charge in Donegal

The first day of the Joule Donegal International Rally in Letterkenny was a battle of the Kellys — Frosses driver Donagh Kelly and Letterkenny’s Manus Kelly — while Fermanagh’s Garry Jennings remains very much in touch.

The six stages of the opening leg saw Donagh Kelly, who has yet to win this rally, open up a 12.2-second lead over the Subaru WRC of last year’s winner Manus Kelly with double winner Jennings (Subaru WRC) 10.8 seconds further behind in third. Declan Boyle (Ford Fiesta WRC) was a non-starter due ot a family bereavement.

On the opening stage just outside Letterkenny, Donagh Kelly set the pace as he led the Subaru of Manus Kelly by 2.1 seconds with Jennings 1.9 seconds further behind in third; Alistair Fisher (Fiesta) was best of the R5 competitors.