Devine and O’Sullivan Pounce for last-gasp Circuit of Ireland victory amidst late drama

Devine and O’Sullivan Pounce for Last-Gasp Circuit of Ireland Victory Amidst Late Drama

Callum Devine and Noel O’Sullivan have snatched a dramatic last-minute victory at the Circuit of Ireland, capitalising on a chaotic penultimate stage to claim the top spot.

The Skoda Fabia RS crew now head into the Rally of the Lakes, aiming for their fourth victory at the event.

For much of the weekend, the rally appeared to be firmly in the grasp of Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin in their Citroën C3.

The long-time leaders had controlled the event from the very first stage, building a comfortable 36-second advantage heading into the final stages. However, their hopes unravelled dramatically on the penultimate test.

Approaching the start of the stage, Cronin and Galvin encountered troublesome brake issues, forcing them to attempt roadside repairs. The delay resulted in a one-minute and thirty-second penalty for a late start. Adding insult to injury, the crew then suffered a puncture within the stage itself, costing them further valuable time.

With their chances of victory evaporated, they nursed their car through the final stage, eventually finishing in a disappointing eighth place. The late drama has dealt a blow to their aspirations of retaining their NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship title.

The beneficiaries of Cronin and Galvin’s misfortune were Callum Devine and Noel O’Sullivan.

While consistently challenging for a podium position, they found themselves elevated to the lead as chaos unfolded behind them.

Garry Jennings and Rory Kennedy steered their Ford Fiesta Rally 2 to a hard-fought second place, with David Kelly and Arthur Kierans taking fastest tine on the last test on their way to third.

The penultimate stage proved to be a pivotal moment, not only for the leaders but also for other frontrunners. Matt Edwards and David Moynihan, who had been locked in a tight battle for second place with Devine and O’Sullivan, also encountered trouble and were forced to stop in the stage. Similarly, Eddie Doherty and Tom Murphy, who had been holding a strong fourth position, also succumbed to the stage’s challenging conditions.

This unexpected triumph on the Circuit of Ireland provides a boost for Devine and O’Sullivan as they now turn their attention to the Rally of the Lakes, where they will be aiming for a remarkable fourth victory in the upcoming weeks.

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