Boland leads Ulster Rally

Wexford's, Eamonn Boland and co-driver, Damien Morrissey (Subaru WRC) are on course to clinch the Irish Tarmac Championship.

They ended today's first leg of the Todds Leap Ulster Rally with a lead of 26.1 seconds over the similar Subaru of Kevin Lynch/Francis Regan

Mark Higgins/Rory Kennedy (Subaru) occupy third place – 15.9 seconds further behind.

Boland went into the lead on the very first stage and completed the loop by setting all three fastest times.

At the Armagh service halt, following the three stages, Boland led the Mitsubishi of Guy Wilks/David Moynihan by 18.5 seconds, Wilks, was the top British Rally Championship registered competitor.

Another BRC crew, Mark Higgins/Rory Kennedy, in a Subaru, were 7.9 seconds further behind in third position.

Peadar Hurson crashed his Subaru WRC on the very first stage.

Meanwhile, Derek McGarrity, Kevin Lynch and Kenny McKinstry, all in Subaru WRC's, completed the top six at the halfway mark this evening.

Lynch lost time when he overshot a number of junctions.

However, on the repeat of the loop, he made amends, particularly, on the ourth and fifth stages where he gained valuable time.

When the crews returned to the overnight halt, Lynch was up to second spot as Boland continued his Irish Championship quest.

Higgins retained third but Wilks slipped from second to fourth with differential woes.

Gwyndaf Evans (Mitsubishi) and Kenny McKinstry (Subaru) completed the overnight top six.

Elsewhere, Derek McGarrity dropped to eighth.

Sebastien Ogier (Citroen) leads Class 2.

Cork driver, Brian O'Mahony (Renault Clio) leads Class 3 while fellow Cork ace, Keith Cronin is the highest of the Mitsubishi Evo Challenge contenders.

1.EAMONN BOLAND (SUBARU WRC) 45m. 07.0s.

2. KEVIN LYNCH (SUBARU WRC) 45m. 33.1s.

3.MARK HIGGINS (SUBARU) 45m:49.0s.

4.GUY WILKS (MITSUBISHI) 46m. 26.8s.

5. GWYNDAF EVANS (mITSUBISHI) 46m. 53.8S.

6. KENNY MCKINSTRY (SUBARU) 46m. 54.5s.