Donagh Kelly secures drive for five in Clonakilty

Leading from the start Donegal’s Donagh Kelly (Ford Focus WRC) swept to a fifth successive victory in the Quality Hotel West Cork Rally. Co-driven by Monaghan’s Conor Foley they finished 45.8 seconds clear of Monaghan’s Josh Moffett and co-driver Andy Hayes with Irish Tarmac champions Monaghan’s Sam Moffett and Cork’s Karl Atkinson (Fiesta R5) in third.

Kelly set a scorching pace on the classic Ring stage that wound its way along Clonakilty Bay. By the finish at Lislevane he was 18.3 seconds clear of Declan Boyle, who had a slight altercation with the scenery that damaged a front track control arm. Josh Moffett was only a tenth of a second behind and led the R5 category from his brother Sam, who was on his first outing of the year and admitted to being a bit rusty. Robert Barrable was next followed by Desi Henry, who had issues with the brake fluid. Kelly blitzed the opposition on the second stage at Clogagh and stretched his advantage to 31.4 seconds. Josh Moffett moved into second with Boyle 14.8 seconds further behind and having difficulties with the handling of his Fiesta. Sam Moffett closed to within 2.4 seconds with Barrable and Henry completing the top six.

On the repeat of both stages Kelly didn’t offer his rivals any encouragement and duly extended his lead to 56.5 seconds — even after four stages a fifth win looked almost imminent. Yet, Josh Moffett refused to throw in the towel — he led the R5 brigade from his brother Sam, who was 26.1 seconds adrift.