Callum Devine finishes season with a flourish in Donegal

Derry’s Callum Devine (VW Polo GTi R5) and co-driven by Killarney’s Noel O’Sullivan won the Donegal Harvest Rally. Picture: Martin Walsh.

Derry’s Callum Devine wrapped up his rallying season with a hat-trick of wins on the Donegal Harvest Rally. Onboard his TST Group backed VW Polo GTi R5 and co-driven by Killarney’s Noel O’Sullivan, he led from the start and finished the north Donegal based event 11.6s ahead of the Donegal/Monaghan duo of Eamonn Kelly/Conor Mohan, also in a VW Polo GTi R5. Derry’s Desi Henry and his Donegal co-driver Paddy Robinson (Citroen C3 Rally2) took a final stage third place, a further 7.1s behind.

Devine set the pace on the opening stage and while conditions were dry, the roads were slippery as the Derry ace reckoned getting his braking points right were the key. Kelly was second quickest (6.2s behind) even though his VW Polo GTi R5 collected a slow puncture on the 14.87km stage. Indeed, both Declan Boyle (Citroen C3 rally2) and son Michael Boyle (VW Polo GTi R5) also punctured and dropped more time than Kelly, they were fourth and sixth respectively. Henry had an untroubled run to occupy third 9.8s off top spot. Ardara’s Declan Gallagher (Toyota Starlet) was fifth and led the two-wheel drive category, his rivals encountered troubles, Kevin Gallagher (Darrian T90 GTR) and Kevin Eves (Toyota Corolla) both spun.