McNulty leads Cork '20' International Rally

At the conclusion of the first leg of the Murphy Construction Cork “20” International Rally, Tim NcNulty/Eugene O’Donnell (Subaru WRC) have a 23 second advantage over the Subaru of Derek McGarrity/Dermot O’Gorman with Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) a further 22 seconds in arrears.

On today’s final two stages, second placed, McGarrity gained most, he picked the correct tyres for the two stages between Macroom and Dunmanway and pulled 14 seconds out of McNulty’s lead, however, the rally leader loosed relaxed at the end of day’s eight stages - the first occasion he has ever led an International Rally.

Donnelly’s Toyota is back on full throttle and his excursion on S.S. 5, where he lost over a minute, caused what he described as only cosmetic damage.

Liam McCarthy, in fourth place, lost time when he stalled the McKinstry Subaru WRC while Ollie O’Donovan retired prior to the final stage.

Denis Cronin (Toyota Celica) ended the day in fifth place from the Subaru of Tony Davies and the Escort WRC of Killarney’s, Johnny O’Sullivan.

Provisional positions after Day 1:

1. T. NcNulty/E. O’Donnell (Subaru WRC) 1h. 15m. 12s.

2. D. McGarrity/D. O’Gorman (Subaru WRC) 1h. 15m. 35s.

3.E. Donnelly/P. Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) 1h. 15m. 57s.

4.L. McCarthy/K. Murphy (Subaru WRC) 1h.17m. 38s.

5. D. Cronin/H. O'Sullivan (Toyota Celica) 1h. 19m. 15s.

6. T. Davies/J. Kelly (Subaru WRC) 1h. 20m. 14s.

7. J. O’Sullivan/P. Cashman (Escort WRC) 1h. 21m. 05s.