Dream debut for Keith Cronin in new Hyundai

Punching in the best times on every stage Ballylickey’s Keith Cronin and his Killarney co-driver Mikie Galvin took their new Hyundai i20 R5 to victory in the Rathkeale House Hotel Circuit of Munster Rally.

Keith’s main rival was his younger brother Daniel, who along with his Kilnamartyra co-driver JJ Cremin, brought their Ford Fiesta R5 into second – a minute and 55 seconds behind. On his debut in a Subaru WRC, Limerick’s Ed Synan and co-driver Tom Collins were 33.5 seconds further behind in third.

On the opening stage near Banagh, Keith Cronin was quickest and held a 17.2 second lead from the escorts of Ed O’Callaghan and Vivian Hamill. Ed Synan occupied fourth – some 20.4 seconds off top spot as he had a few overshoots in the McKinstry hired car. Daniel Cronin (Fiesta R5), who had one overshoot, narrowly avoided contact with a bridge. PJ McDermott (Subaru WRC) rounded out the top six.