Gallagher and Conway overcome setbacks to win Baltinglass Mini Stages Rally

Gallagher had alternator concerns and  had to contend with some fluid leaking onto the floor of his Starlet.

Donegal's Declan Gallagher (Toyota Starlet) and Killarney's Ger Conway won the Germaine's Hotel GSMC Baltinglass Mini Stages Rally. Picture: Seamus Counihan.

Donegal's Declan Gallagher (Toyota Starlet) and his Killarney co-driver Ger Conway overcame alternator issues to win the Germaine's Hotel GSMC Baltinglass Mini Stages Rally. Gallagher, who won the event last year, finished 14.8s ahead of the Ford Escort of the Mayo/Roscommon pairing of Brian Lavelle/Jack Kelly, who led the rally for a time. Monaghan's Johnno Doogan and Cavan's Paul Lennon, also in a Ford Escort, were a further 10.1s behind in third.

Gallagher set the pace on the first stage, but he had alternator concerns, he also had to contend with some fluid leaking onto the floor of his Starlet beneath his feet. He finished the stage 4.9s ahead of Lavelle with Kenmare's Vincent O'Shea (Darrian T90 GTR) slotting into third - 0.5s behind and 1.1s ahead of Clare's Padraig Egan, who arrived at the stage finish with smoke filling the cockpit of his Ford Escort.