Kerry interest in Galway International Rally

The Corrib Oil Galway International Rally is the opening round of the 2023 Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and there is plenty of Kerry-based drivers and co-drivers in the 150-car entry list.

Leading the way, from a Kerry point of view, is Muckross co-driver Noel O’Sullivan.
The current British co-driving champion has teamed up with Derry’s Callum Devine in a Volkswagen Polo Rally2 and they are seeded third for the event.

The pair won the Rally of the Lakes last May but so far O’Sullivan is not sure if he will compete in all rounds of the Irish Tarmac Championship or if he will have international commitments that may prevent a full Irish season.

“I am doing Galway and see how that goes,” said  O’Sullivan.

Cathan McCourt has employed the services of Killarney and District Motor Club member Liam Moynihan and they will compete in a Citroen C3 Rally.

Sean Nolan makes his RC2 debut alongside Stephen Bawn in a Skoda Fabia.
In the historic section, Brian Duggan, from the Healy Pass is on co-driving duties for Cork man Luke McCarthy.

Ballyheigue’s Gearóid O’Regan will make his International rally debut in his Honda Civic Type R.

Fergus O’Meara and Declan Casey are also entered in the historic section in their Ford Escort RS1800.

Bob Moran will compete in the modified section in his Ford Escort Mk2 while Lixnaw co-driver Keith McCarthy will be alongside Cork driver Neil Phelan.

Maynooth’s Paul Barrett has yet to nominate what kind of car he will drive in on the two-day event.

Conor Murphy and Sean Collins are expected frontrunners in the modified category and they will drive their usual Ford Escort.

Mark Murphy and Damien Fleming will compete in a Toyota Starlet RWD.

Fossa’s Sam Leech returns for a second crack at Galway one year after making his debut there in his Opel Corsa.

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