McNulty wins Cork ‘20’ International Rally

Tim McNulty has claimed his first International rally success courtesy of victory in an exciting Murphy Construction Cork “20” International Rally that also decided the Irish Tarmac Championship.

Second place for Eugene Donnelly (Toyota Corolla WRC) was enough to deliver his second title in as many years.

McNulty was always in control in his Subaru WRC and on today’s first stage he added 11 seconds to his overnight advantage to strengthen his grip on the rally.

For the remainder of today’s stages, McNulty was able to shape his own destiny and he emerged victorious by 30 seconds.

Donnelly moved into second spot early today and kept ahead of Pirelli Irish Tarmac title rival, Derek McGarrity (Subaru WRC), with both drivers setting a strong pace on the stages near Mallow.

Eamonn Boland (Ford Focus WRC) was fourth ahead of Belgian champion, Pieter Tsjoen in his Corolla WRC. It was his first appearance in the Irish series and he adapted with aplomb.

Former triple winner of the rally, Austin MacHale (Ford Focus) was sixth ahead of top Cork driver, Denis Cronin (Subaru WRC).

The Group N category was won by Colm Murphy (Subaru), while ninth was enough for Garry Jennings (Mitsubishi) was enough to win the showroom title of the Irish tarmac series.

1. T. McNulty/A. Nestor (Subaru WRC) 1h 55m. 52s.

2. E. Donnelly/P. Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) 1h. 56m. 22s.

3. D. McGarrity/D. O'Gorman (Subaru WRC) 1h. 56m. 49s.

4. E. Boland/F. Regan (Ford Focus WRC) 1h. 57m. 02s.

5. P. Tsjoen/E. Chevaillier (Toyota Corolla) 1h. 57m. 57s.

6. A. MacHale/B. Murphy (Ford Focus WRC) 1h. 59m.15s.

7. D. Cronin/H. O’Sullivan (Subaru WRC) 2h. 01m. 38s.

8. C. Murphy/G. Loughrey (Subaru) 2h. 04m. 06s.

9. G. Jennings/R. Kennedy (Mitsubishi) 2h. 05m. 23s.

10.N. Hicklin/D. Connolly (Subaru WRC) 2h. 06m. 57s.