McGonagle and Friel take Midland Trial

THE Donegal pairing of Charlie McMonagle/Aidan Friel (Mazda 323) won a closely fought Midland Navigation Trial, a counting round of the Executive Logistics National Navigation Trial Championship and the regional championships.

In the 85-mile route around Athlone, the winners finished with just ten penalties. At Clonowen, Cork born brothers, Ray and Stephen O’Neill (Golf) were only a penalty point in arrears but a succession of dropped points on TPs 15, 16 and 18 cost them victory.

Alan and George Shinnors (Astra) were credited with third after a tie-break with Cork pair, Ger O’Connell/Denis O’Donovan (Toyota Celica). In fact the latter were poised for victory until they incurred penalties at the final time point and they had to be content with second in the Expert Class.