Daniel Cronin and Donnchadh Burke move into second place in National Rally Championship

Mon, 20 May, 2024 - 07:04

Martin Walsh

In an action packed Carlow Rally, the Cork crew of Daniel Cronin/Donnchadh Burke (VW Polo GTi R5) took an important victory to move into second place in the Triton Showers National Rally Championship. The Ballylickey ace and his Dunmanway co-driver Donnchadh Burke finished the nine stage event 3.9s ahead of Kilkenny’s Eddie Doherty/Tom Murphy with the Welsh crew of Meirion Evans/Jonathan Jackson (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) 22.9s further behind in third.

The event marked the half way (Round 4) of the national series, reigning champion Josh Moffett finished outside the top ten on the opening stage when he slid off and damaged the left side of his Citroen C3 Rally2. At the stage finish his older brother Sam (Hyundai i20 Rally2) held a slender 0.2s advantage over Cronin with the latter moving ahead of the Monaghan man by 0.3s on SS2. On the final stage of the opening loop Sam Moffett put his Hyundai off the road and out of the rally as Cronin, Evans and Doherty were all credited with Josh Moffett’s time.

From eleventh after SS1 Josh Moffett, who was best on SS4, moved into second - 8.8s behind rally leader Cronin, who reckoned he could have been a little faster. The drama continued on SS5 when Josh Moffett clipped a bank and dropped well down the order. Cronin punched in the best stage time and Doherty did likewise on SS6 to move into second - 15.8s behind the Cork driver. Evans, on a shakedown for this week’s Jim Clark Rally, took no risks in a top six completed by the Boyle father and son duo of Declan (Citroen C3 Rally2) and Michael (VW Polo GTi R5) and the Darrian T90 of top two wheel drive contender and fellow Donegal driver Kevin Gallagher. While there was only a fraction of a second between Cronin and Doherty on SS7, the latter set up a cracking finish when he trimmed the deficit to 9.3s on the penultimate stage but Cronin went on to secure a major rally win. Evans was third in an unchanged top six. Stuart Darcy (VW Polo GTi R5), who stalled at the start of SS1 was seventh from Cavan’s Gary Kiernan (Ford Fiesta Rally2), who struggled with pop-off valve issues. Victory in the Mk. 2 Challenge Trophy was annexed by Tyrone’s Frank Kelly.

Meanwhile, Kilrea’s Josh McErlean swept to victory in the Go Tour of the Sperrins Rally in Magherafelt. Fastest on all bar one of Saturday’s six stages and co-driven by Cavan’s James Fulton in a VW Polo GTi R5) they finished 20.8s ahead of the Citroen C3 Rally2 of fellow local Desi Henry and his Donegal co-driver Shane Byrne. Carryduff’s Jonny Greer and Sligo’s Niall Burns (Citroen C3 Rally2), who finished in fourth place, collected maximum points in the McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Rally Championship to seal the series with a round to spare. It’s Greer’s fifth title and a maiden honour for Burns.

McErlean, made light of the little familiarisation with the Woodland NI backed Polo as he topped the time sheets on the first loop of three stages leading his cousin Henry by 13.8s. Greer, who was cautious and mindful of his championship aspirations held third but was under increasing pressure from Victoria Bridge driver Jason Mitchell (VW Polo GTi), who clawed back 5.7s back on Ss3 to close to within 0.8s.

Although Henry gained a fraction of a second onSS4, McErlean managed his pace to perfection and in front of family and friends took a popular victory. Henry was happy with his pace as Mitchell overcame an turbo issue to finish third 9.6s ahead of Greer, who retained his NI crown.

Carlow Rally (Round 4, Triton Showers National Rally Championship) Carlow: 1.D. Cronin/D. Burke (VW Polo GTi R5) 58m. 50.1s; 2. E. Doherty/T. Murphy (Skoda Fabia R5)+3.9s; 3. M. Evans/J. Jackson (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+26.8s; 4. D. Boyle/P. Walsh (Citroen C3 Rally2)+1m. 05.8s; 5. M. Boyle/D. McCafferty (VW Polo GTi R5)+1m. 06.5s; 6. K. Gallagher/R. Moore (Darrian T90 GTR)+1m. 51.8s; 7. S. Darcy/JJ Cremin (VW Polo GTi R5)+2m. 03.6s; 8. G. Kiernan/J. McGrath (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+2m. 09.4s; 9. D. Moffett/M. Connolly (Toyota Starlet)+2m. 34.9s; 10. F. Kelly/L. Kelly (Ford Escort)+2m. 37.8s.

National Rally Championship (Positions after Round 4): 1. S. Moffett 57pts; 2. D. Cronin 54pts; 3. E. Doherty 52pts; 4. G. Kiernan 44pts; 5. J. Moffett 41pts.

Go Tour of the Sperrins Rally (Round 4, McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Rally Championship) Magherafelt: 1. J. McErlean/J. Fulton (VW Polo GTi R5) 35m. 25.6s; 2. D. Henry/S. Byrne (Citroen C3 Rally2)+20.8s; 3. J. Mitchell/P. McCrudden (VW Polo GTi R5)+1m. 03.8s; 4. J. Greer/N. Burns (Citroen C3 Rally2)+1m. 13.4s; 5. J. Dickson/M. Brady (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 44.0s; 6. K. White/A. Nestor (Hyundai i20 Rally2)+2m. 28.9s; 7. J. Black/K. Egan (Toyota Starlet)+2m. 30.2s; 8. C. Bradley/C. Henderson (Ford Escort)+3m. 39.4s; 9. M. Cairns/P. Ward (Ford Fiesta R5)+3m. 42.4s; 10. N. Henry/S. O'Hanlon (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+3m. 46.4s.