Huge Kerry entry for revived Thomond Rally in Rathkeale

Huge Kerry entry for revived Thomond Rally in Rathkeale

The revived Thomond Rally in Rathkeale on Sunday has attracted a strong Kerry interest, with more than 20 Kerry competitors set to start.

There is an air of anticipation in Rathkeale ahead of next weekend’s Thomond Rally, which is expected to draw a large attendance in what is a fitting finale to the summer season.

The action kicks off on Saturday afternoon when the rumble of rally cars arrives in the Limerick town, with the final checks being carried out at Scrutiny, while the crews complete their Recce on the two stages. The action proper gets underway on Sunday with 6 competitive stages run on the outskirts of the town.

Some 118 cars are set to start the event, which is being run for the first time in almost 40 years. Local crew and brother/sister pairing of Chris and Kirsty O’Callaghan will carry the number 1 on their Ford Escort Mark II as they lead the crews out on Sunday morning. But they have some very quick drivers behind them. Jason Black brings his Toyota Starlet from Armagh, while the likes of Johno Doogan and Mark Alcorn will all be hoping for success in Limerick. The ever flamboyant driving style of Frank Kelly and his daughter Lauren always draws a keen interest from spectators; they are seeded at 6. Kerry’s Vincent O’Shea brings his Darrian T90 to Rathkeale, a car which is always a fan favourite and dry conditions could be conclusive to a good result. Other Limerick crews well in with a shout of victory on home turf include Ed Synan, Paul Purtill, who is a sponsor of the event, Sean Moran, Johnny O’Connor and Cathal Mulcaire.

Title sponsors of the event are Galway-based motor parts business GPR4 Fabrications, with associate sponsors including Rathkeale House Hotel, Paul Purtill Agri, Morenane Transport and Tyrestop Rathkeale

Speaking ahead of the event, Club Chairman and Clerk of the Course for the event, Aidan Walsh, said, “It’s all systems go now for the event, we are looking forward to it. All the hard work has been put in by a fantastic team, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to Rathkeale next weekend. Hopefully, we will have some luck with the weather, but either way, it should be a fantastic event with some really competitive motorsport action. I’d like to remind spectators to please obey the marshals and keep the race in its place when travelling to and from the event”

John McCarthy will be back in the co-driver’s seat with Meath’s Peter Wilson in a Ford Escort. McCarthy has had a busy spell, with three days of rallying last weekend – two days in Ulster alongside John Devlin and the ALMC Hellfire Rally with Wilson.

Vincent O’Shea and Eoin O’Donoghue form an all-Kenmare crew in their Darrian T90 GTR. Denis Hickey and Ronald Riordan from Glenflesk will line up in their Ford Escort, while top Kerry Motor Club pairing Mike Quinn and Kieran Doherty bring their Escort Mk2.

North Kerry’s Tim Enright is entered in an Escort Mk2 with Stephen Buckley. Kenmare’s Brian Hickey will drive an Escort Mk2 with non-Kerry co-driver Ken Blanche.

Adrian Randles makes his first start since the Rally of the Lakes in May with Denny Greaney in an Escort Mk2. The father-and-daughter crew of John and Michelle Hickey from Headford will tackle the rally in their Subaru Escort RS 4×4.

David Randles and John Falvey form an all-Killarney crew in a Peugeot 208 Rally4, Falvey’s first time with Randles. Gary Healy and Niall Myers are back together in their Honda Civic EK4 for the first time since the Lakes, although Myers has been active in junior and endurance rallying.

Sean Enright and Kevin Doherty bring another all-Kerry Escort Mk2 entry. Paul Ahern from Castleisland makes his first start since May in a BMW M3 with Kieran Murphy, originally from Beaufort but now living in Kilkenny.

Tralee’s John Corrigan will have his son-in-law Niall Mulcahy alongside in a Subaru Impreza. Mossie Costello, who planned to contest the ALMC Rally last weekend with Shane Maguire, will start in a Fiesta Rally4. His father, Jason Costello, is entered in an Escort Mk2 with Brian Slattery.

Sean Hickey and Noel Fleming make a rare appearance in their Toyota Starlet RWD, as do Shane Doyle and William Kelliher in a BMW E30, and Maurice and Chris  Browne in an Escort Mk2. Mike and Paddy Costello also bring out their Escort Mk2.

Brendan Brosnan continues his tradition of giving apprentice co-drivers a chance, with John Power making his debut in their Escort. Daniel O’Connor and Micheal O’Shea return in a Honda Civic for the first time since the Lakes.

The rally will also feature Joseph Costello in an Escort Mk1 with John Hilliard. Joseph is the grandfather of Mossie and father of Jason, making it the second time this year that all three generations compete in the same event.

---

---