McGarrity still in control

Derek McGarrity and co-driver, Dermot Gorman in their S9 Subaru continue to control proceedings in the Ordnance Survey Ireland/Gleneagle Hotel Rally of the Lakes, the third round of the Pirelli Irish Tarmac Championship.

They were fastest through Moll’s Gap where the Toyota Corolla WRC of Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely had turbo problems and it would appear they are out of the rally.

Second placed, Donie O’Sullivan/Paul Nagle (Ford Focus WRC).had a comfortable run through “The Gap” despite stalling at the start line. They are a now minute and 29 seconds behind McGarrity/O’Gorman.

Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus) are third - just 21 behind O'Sullivan.

Eamonn Boland, having replaced the gearbox of his Mitsubishi, is fourth although the new gearbox does not seem to be working properly.

Next on the leader board are the Subaru WRC of J.J. Fleming, Denis Cronin (Toyota Celica) and Escort WRC's of Johnny O'Sullivan and Pete Doughty.

Liam McCarthy (Toyota Corolla WRC) has retired with fuel; problems. .

In Group N, Alan Ring (Subaru) leads from James Foley (Mitsubishi), who is almost a minute down.

Times after S.S. 15:

D. McGarrity/D. O’Gorman (Subaru WRC) 1h. 53m. 10s.

D. O’Sullivan/P. Nagle (Ford Focus WRC) 1h. 54m. 39s..

A. MacHale/B. Murphy (Ford Focus WRC) 1h. 55m. 00s.

E. Boland/D. Morrissey (Mitsubishi WRC) 1h.56m. 03s.

J.J. Fleming/R. Ward (Subaru WRC) 1h. 59m. 05s.

D. Cronin/H. O’Sullivan (Toyota Celica) 1h. 59m. 42s.

J. O’Sullivan/P. Cashman (Escort WRC) 2h. 00m. 10s.

P. Doughty/A. Whittaker (Escort WRC) 2h. 02m. 01s.

T. McNulty/A. Nestor (Subaru WRC) 2h. 02m. 13s.

A. Ring/G. Shinnors (Subaru) 2h. 02m. 49s.