Motorsport: Ferry retains lead in Mayo rally

Donegal's Eugene Ferry, in a Mk. 2 Ford Escort, has consolidated his lead in the Castlecourt Hotel Mayo Rally.

A time of nine minutes and six seconds for the stage at Partry Mountain - identical to his first run,

has given him an 18 second lead.

Co-driven by John Gallagher, Ferry was consistent and kept a neat and tidy line through the arduous

stage, once used in the Circuit of Ireland.

Gordon Rogers, fifth on the opening run, has joined Tom McGovern in second place.

Rogers had to contend with gear selection problems.

Paul Gallagher (Toyota Corolla), who was third, has retired with engine failure.

Conor Curley, in yet another Escort, has moved into third courtesy of a very solid run and is only four seconds off second spot.

Rodney Wilton and Pat Higgins are fifth and sixth respectively. James Cassidy, Terence McHugh and Gerry Smyth, all in Ford Escorts are next as the top ten is completed by the Astra of Aidan Caddye.

Caddye also leads the Group N category. Mervyn Wedlock, who was expected to be amongst the leading pack, is out of contention.

He lost more than eight minutes on the first run when his Escort went off the road.