Gallagher wins Kerry rally

Leitrim’s Sean Gallagher and his Kerry co-driver Paul Nagle were decisive winners of the BIO TECH Kerry Rally.

The Escort Cosworth pair led all through the three timed runs where the biggest threat was posed by the slippery nature of the roads.

Pat Donegan, from Kells and his co-driver, Sean Walsh (Escort), held second throughout the day and finished 39 seconds behind the winners.

The final stage saw Mike Quinn hit trouble and that allowed County Ke crew, Tom Randles/Diarmuid Lynch (Escort) take third overall ahead of Sean Lyons/John Devine (Escort).

The Group N category was won by Killarney’s Kevin O’Donoghue (Honda Civic). He capitalised on a final stage spin by Ray Hilliard (Mitsubishi) that also cost him Class 4 honours - that was taken by John Clifford.

1. S. Gallagher/P. Nagle (Escort Cosworth) 23m. 22s.

2. P. Donegan/S. Walsh (Escort) 24m. 01s.

3. T. Randles/D. Lynch (Escort)24m. 25s.

4. S. Lyons/J. Devine (Escort) 24m. 45s.

5. K. O'Donoghue/J. O'Leary (Honda Civic) 24m. 47s.

6. P. Clifford/J. Young (Subaru) 24m. 57s.

7. W. Power/D. O'Donovan (Darrian) 25m. 09s.

8. J. Curran/M. McNally (Subaru) 25m. 11s.

9. S. Murphy/G. Kelly (Escort) 25m. 13s.

10. F. Costelloe/G. Gallagher (Sunbeam) 25m. 23s.

In the MEC Rallysprint at Mondello Park Tom Holton was pushed hard by James Foley.

Holton, in a Toyota Celica, finished 7.9 seconds ahead of the Group N Mitsubishi of Foley.

1. T. Holton (Toyota Celica) 14m. 17.2s;

2. J.Foley (Mitsubishi Evo8) 14m. 25.1s;

3. E. Kinirons (Toyota Celica) 145m. 26.2s.

Eddie Peterson (Mini Special) won today’s round of the Hewison Autotest Championship in Carlow.

1. E. Peterson (Mini Special) 565.9 seconds.

2. E. Byrne (Mini Special) 567.3 seconds.

3. P. Power (Mini Special) 587.5 seconds.