Impressive Callum Devine leads Circuit of Ireland Rally

"They are tricky due to the changing surfaces." A comment that veiled his belief that he could have been quicker.

Fri, 03 Apr, 2026 - 20:15

Martin Walsh

Derry's Callum Devine (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) with three stage wins from the opening day of four stages in the Dungannon-based McKinney Competitions Circuit of Ireland Rally holds an impressive lead of 26.4s overnight.

A single second covers the chasing trio of Monaghan's Josh Moffett (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) and the Skoda Fabia's of Donegal's David Kelly and Kilkenny's Eddie Doherty, who will give chase over Saturday's concluding leg of eight stages in the event, round three of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.

Devine won the opening stage (Sturgeon Bridge) near Donaghmore and Kelly took the honour on SS2 (Slievemore) close to Sixmilecross as the former led by 14.9s. Doherty, second on the opener, shared second with Kelly in an all Skoda top three.

Devine described his passage through both stages. "They are tricky due to the changing surfaces." A comment that veiled his belief that he could have been quicker.

A general view of the service park during day one of the Circuit of Ireland Rally, Round Three of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship in Dungannon, Tyrone. Pic: Philip Fitzpatrick/Sportsfile.

Doherty was very aware that he had lost time on both due to the set-up of his Skoda unlike Kelly, who was happy on how his car behaved in the conditions, his stage win on SS2 increased his confidence levels. Josh Moffett was 2.4s further behind and admitted he struggled, particularly in the narrow sections.

Meanwhile, his brother Sam, who reckoned he needed to be more committed, admitted he was surprised to occupy fifth overall - 9.9s behind his brother and 27.2s off the lead. The top six was completed by Carryduff's Jonny Greer (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2), who took time to get into a rhythm as the cuts by those ahead threw plenty of muck out into the stage.

Elsewhere, Desi Henry (Ford Fiesta Rally2) had no read out from the controls on the steering wheel as he called for set-up changes at the services. Cathan McCourt (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) was cursing his luck - the turbo boost pipe came adrift on the first stage and then his Skoda cut out and stalled on SS2 where he also ran up a hedge.

Ryan Loughran (Ford Fiesta Rally2) had so many problems summed up his situation with "Everything is wrong." In contrast Jersey driver Sam Touzel, with no expectations, was delighted with his seventh place.

Devine and the Moffett brothers opted for a slick tyre on the repeat stages and reaped the rewards, especially on the day's final stage where conditions were dry.

Josh Moffett moved from fourth to second as Kelly (third) was content with his performance. Doherty, who stayed on a wet compound tyre, reverted to the set-up he used in the West Cork Rally that brought a positive outcome and he's ready to attack the second leg with confidence.

Sam Moffett retained fifth while Loughran sorted his Ford Fiesta to move up three places to sixth.

McKinney Competitions Circuit of Ireland (Round 3 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship) Dungannon

1. C Devine/N O'Sullivan (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) 31m. 19.0s

2. J Moffett/A Hayes (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+26.4s

3. D Kelly/S Buckley (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+26.5s

4. E Doherty/T Murphy (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+27.4s

5. S Moffett/P O'Callaghan (Hyundai i20 N Rally2)+57.8s

6. R Loughran/D McGettigan (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+1m. 01.2s

7. J Greer/N Burns (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+1m. 03.4s

8. S Touzel/M Freeman (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 05.7s

9. D Henry/D O'Sullivan (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 08.8s

10. A Wray/P McCrudden (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+1m. 51.9s.