O’Sullivan v Galvin in Ulster Rally showdown

O’Sullivan v Galvin in Ulster Rally showdown

Two Killarney and District Motor Club co-drivers are set to go head to head on Saturday’s Ulster Rally in an event that could help decide the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.

Callum Devine and Keith Cronin are two of the main title protagonists this year.

Devine is co-driven by Muckross man Noel O’Sullivan and Cronin, also a KDMC member has Aghadoe’s Mikie Galvin alongside.

The championship rivals will lead a high-calibre field of over 100 cars as they battle it out on the challenging 2024 route.

Devine, the defending champion, will carry the weight of expectation as he starts first on the road in his Skoda Fabia RS Rally2.

The Derry driver has been in formidable form this season, claiming back-to-back victories in Killarney and Donegal to close the gap on Cronin at the top of the championship standings.

Cronin has secured wins in Galway and West Cork to establish himself as the current championship leader.

Driving a M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2, the Cork man will be looking to extend his advantage and maintain his title hopes.

The stage is set for an epic encounter between these two talented drivers, with the outcome likely to have a significant impact on the championship battle.

Both Devine and Cronin will need to be at their best to overcome the challenges posed by the Ulster Rally and the fierce competition from the likes of Circuit of Ireland winner Matt Edwards and Irish National champion Josh Moffett.

Currow’s John McCarthy is the only other Kerry competitor on the Ulster Rally entry list. He is on pacenote duty for Banbridge-based John Devlin in a Ford Escort Mk2.

The action gets underway on Saturday morning, with the finish ramp scheduled for 5:30 pm in Newry.

Meanwhile, Cronin and Galvin finished in third place on the Grampian Rally, the fourth round of the British Rally Championship, a result that allows them to remain in the hunt for a record-equalling fifth BRC title. 

Cronin was satisfied with his outcome, after encountering difficulties earlier in the event. 

 “At the start of the rally after the first few stages, I would definitely have taken a podium, because we didn’t get off to the best of starts pace-wise, but our pace improved all weekend which I’m happy with,” he said at the finish of the final stage. 

“There’s still a little bit to go, but we closed right on the pace of the fast guys towards the end, which was good.  From the championship point of view, the way it’s going this year, everyone is taking points off everyone, so every podium is good for the championship.”

---

---