McGarrity sets pace in Circuit of Ireland

Starting just as he did yesterday, Derek McGarrity and co-driver, Derek O’Gorman in their Subaru WRC, set the pace on the opening stage of today’s second leg of the Buy & Sell Circuit of Ireland Rally.

However, the rally hasn’t even reached its mid point and victory is far from secure.

Their closest rivals, Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely are still very well placed in second on board their Toyota Corolla WRC.

Of this morning’s four stages, Donnelly set two fastest times while McGarrity claimed the others.

The gap between the top two stands at 24.6 seconds.

Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy in their Ford Focus WRC are up to third – 56 seconds adrift of Donnelly and just 1.4 seconds ahead of Donie O’Sullivan/Paul Nagle (Ford Focus).

Daniel Doherty remains in fifth in his Subaru while the battle for Group N remains with Dessie Keenan some 21.5 seconds ahead of Garry Jennings, also in a Mitsubishi.

This morning’s top retirement was that of Robbie McGurk, who retired his Mitsubishi with steering

problems.

1. Derek McGarrity/D. O’Gorman (Subaru WRC) 1h. 02m. 03.3s.

2. Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) 1h. 02m. 27.9s.

3. Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC) 1h. 03m. 22.9s

4. Donie O’Sullivan/Paul Nagle (Ford Focus) 1h. 03m. 24.3s.

5. Daniel Doherty/Michael Doherty (Subaru WRC) 1h. 04m. 13.4s.

6. Dessie Keenan/Enda Sherry (Mitsubishi) 1h. 06m. 54.9s.

7. Garry Jennings/Paul Garry (Mitsubishi) 1h. 07m. 16.4s.

8. Aaron MacHale/Gerry McMonagle (Mitsubishi) 1h. 07m. 43.5s.

9. Colm Murphy/Ger Loughrey (Subaru) 1h. 08m. 13.9s.

10. Willie Fannin/Mike Courtney (Subaru) 1h. 09m. 57.9s.

Meanwhile, in the opening round of the French Peugeot 206 Cup, the Rallye Terre d'Auvergne, Donegal’s, Shaun Gallagher lies in second place – 7.8 seconds off top spot.