Podium finish for Bandon’s Daniel Seaman at Galway International Rally

Podium finish for Bandon’s Daniel Seaman at Galway International Rally

Bandon co-driver Daniel Seaman secured a major result at the Corrib Oil Galway International Rally last weekend, marking an impressive start to his 2026 campaign.

Competing in the opening round of the NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the 20-year-old partnered with North Cork driver David Herbert.

The all-Cork crew navigated the 15-stage event to finish second in the Rally4 class behind the wheel of their Peugeot 208.

The event tested Seaman’s technical skills as a co-driver throughout the two days of competition. While the weather remained bright, previous heavy rainfall left the roads through Headford and Attymon extremely greasy.

 Many sheltered sections of the route featured standing water and thick mud, making traction a constant battle for the front-wheel-drive Peugeot.

After establishing themselves in second place by the end of Saturday’s action, the crew managed their pace through Sunday’s longer tests to ensure they secured a maximum haul of championship points.

“Galway was an exceptionally challenging rally to get my season off the ground,” Seaman said. “We were second after day one and had to manage the position throughout Sunday, but it is great to get big championship points on the board early in the season,” he said

Seaman began his journey in the sport in 2023 alongside his father, Ger, but 2026 represents only his second full season in the co-driver’s seat.

The West Cork youngster has clear ambitions to reach the top level of world rallying. Outside of the car, he balances his sporting career with his studies in Automotive Management at Munster Technological University in Cork City. He also works in the family business, Dan Seaman Motors, located on Forge Hill, Kinsale Road, which serves as the main dealer for Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Leap Motors Isuzu, and Subaru.

Galway was the starting point for a high-intensity season. Seaman is now preparing for a move to gravel surfaces for the all-new Yeats Forestry Rally in Sligo, where he will join Kerry newcomer Colin O’Meara in another Peugeot 208.

Following the trip to Sligo, he will focus on his home event, the West Cork Rally, which takes place over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend. His 2026 plans also include a potential international debut on an overseas event later this year.