Rallying loses first of ‘new breed’ Galligan

Irish motorsport lost a great competitor and friend this week with the passing of Rory Galligan (39), who died after a battle with motor neuron disease.

Born in Oldcastle, Meath, Rory began rallying in 1993 in a Talbot Samba, which he campaigned in England for two years. However, it wasn’t until he acquired a Peugeot 205 that his real talent came to light. In the late ’90s, he had several class wins in the National Rally Championship and the Tarmac series, winning the A7 class in ’98.

Switching to the Peugeot series in Britain, he finished sixth in 106 Super Cup in 1999 and even though he had several off-road excursions — highlighting his ultra-quick pace — he won the much coveted Henri Toivonen Award in recognition of committed driving.