Loeb ups lead on Citroen colleague

Sebastien Loeb's lead at Rally Ireland over Citroen colleague Dani Sordo has increased to 1 minute 12 seconds after Saturday's first three stages across Tyrone and Fermanagh.

Sebastien Loeb's lead at Rally Ireland over Citroen colleague Dani Sordo has increased to 1 minute 12 seconds after today's first three stages across Tyrone and Fermanagh.

Mikko Hirvonen has had technical trouble that has seen him fall two-and-a-half-minutes behind the lead, with Gareth MacHale leading Irishman in eighth, one position ahead of Eamonn Boland.

Veteran Austin MacHale has withdrawn following the death of co-driver Dermot O'Gorman's mother.