Motorsport: Nesbitt wins Punchestown rally masters

Andrew Nesbitt has won the first ever Punchestown Rally Master in his Cuisine de France Subaru WRC.

He held off the spirited challenge of Kenny McKinstry.

Frank Meagher, in his Ford Focus, completed the top three twelve seconds behind.

Nesbitt recorded three minutes and eight seconds on the first and second runs.

He finished with a final time of three minutes and four seconds to gain event victory by five seconds.

Behind the top three, Austin McHale, in his former Toyota Celica ST 185 netted fourth - trailing Meagher by three seconds.

Derek McGarrity, who lost any hope of outright victory with a spin on the first run, recovered to claim fifth.

Ollie O’Donovan (Subaru Legacy) was one place further behind.

His Legacy was followed by a plethora of Subarus driven by Paul Harris, Maurice Gass, Tim McNulty and Niall Maguire, who completed the top10 leader board.

Billy Coleman retired on the second run when his Metro broke its front differential.

Frank O’Mahony also retired on the second loop when his Formula 2 Escort

clipped a bale and broke a track control arm.

A crowd of some 10,000 people watched the action.