Local champions and title contenders set for Monaghan showdown

Local champions and title contenders set for Monaghan showdown
The Triton Showers Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship returns this Sunday for the Ronnie Hawe Memorial Monaghan Stages Rally.

After a calendar shuffle, having moved from its original April slot to a new August Bank Holiday weekend date, full credit goes to the Monaghan Motor Club for organising a capacity 165-car field. Originally scheduled as round three, and then moved to round six, the subsequent postponement of the Stonethrowers Rally means Monaghan now hosts round five of the national series.

The event carries a unique distinction, as the entry list is packed with an extraordinary number of former overall winners, many of whom are local members aiming for glory on home soil.

Moffett leads impressive 4WD entry
Leading the 165-car field away is defending national champion and four-time Monaghan winner Josh Moffett. Partnered by Andy Hayes in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, Moffett currently leads the national title chase following back-to-back victories in Birr and the Circuit of Munster. Moffett holds the rare distinction of leading all three major Irish rally championships this season, including the Triton Showers National Rally Championship, the NAPA Autoparts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, and the Trailer Parts and Spares Forest Rally Championship.

Right behind him is his brother, Sam Moffett. A three-time Monaghan winner in 2013, 2014, and 2017, Sam is joined by James O’Reilly in a Hyundai i20 R5. Although concentrating primarily on the Northern Ireland series this season, Sam could not pass up the opportunity to contest his home event.

Longford’s Shane Quinn and Leitrim’s Stephen Reynolds take to the stages in a Ford Fiesta Rally2. Sitting as Josh Moffett’s closest title challengers, the crew arrives in flying form after scoring podium finishes in both Birr and Munster.

Donegal’s David Kelly and Kerry co-driver Shane Buckley bring their Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 back to the national trail. Having won round one in Mayo, Kelly remains a major threat at the sharp end.

They are followed by fellow Donegal crew Kevin Eves and Chris Melly in another Skoda Fabia RS Rally2. Currently sixth in the championship standings and regular top-ten finishers all season, Eves came tantalisingly close to a national win in Carlow back in May and will look to push for the top spot on stages where he earned his first national podium two years ago.

Tyrone’s Ryan Loughran and Donegal’s Dale McGettigan return in a Ford Fiesta R5, continuing to show increasing speed with every event. They are followed by Aidan Wray and Paddy McCrudden in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2.

Cork duo Daniel Cronin and Padraig O’Donovan steer their Toyota Yaris into action, while Donegal’s Joseph Kelly is joined by local Monaghan co-driver Killian McArdle in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, coming directly from European duties the weekend prior.

Mayo crew John Warren and Ruthann O’Connor, with two top ten finishes so far this season in their Ford Fiesta Rally2, feature in the top group alongside another former event winner, seven-time Monaghan champion Niall Maguire, who reunites with co-driver Anthony Nestor in his Subaru Impreza WRC. Also making a welcome return among the 4WD contenders is 2011 National Champion and former Monaghan winner Tim McNulty in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 alongside Matthew McMahon, while Tom Holton Jr. and Stephen Joyce round out the group in a Ford Fiesta.

Modified battle
The modified category promises a ferocious battle, with a stellar collection of local drivers, national title contenders, and former event winners.

Meath’s Jonathan Pringle and local co-driver Pierce O’Callaghan lead the 2WD contenders in their Ford Escort. Right behind them is another former overall winner of the event, Daniel McKenna, who returns in a Ford Escort Mk2 alongside Ronan O’Neill.

Championship contender Aaron McIntyre and co-driver Darren O’Brien bring out their Toyota Starlet RWD. McIntyre leads the championship chase after snatching a thrilling class win in Birr by just 0.1 seconds, and he will look to keep that momentum going in Monaghan.

Local knowledge will play a massive role in Class 14. Monaghan aces Gary McPhillips, with Kerry’s Ger Conway, and Michael Carbin, with Dean O’Sullivan, bring their Ford Escorts to the test. They are joined by two more members of the Moffett dynasty, cousins David Moffett and Richard Moffett, in their Toyota Starlets.

Another former Monaghan winner, Dessie Keenan, makes his first appearance of the season in a Ford Escort Mk2 alongside Jason McKenna. Limerick’s Chris O’Callaghan, fresh off a runner-up finish in Kerry a month ago, pairs up with local co-driver Kaine Treanor. Local crew Johno Doogan and Paul Lennon also feature as key contenders for Class 14 honours in their Escort Mk2.

Oran England and co-driver Darragh Mullen, fresh from his recent Billy Coleman Award nomination, lead the all-important Rally4 class in his Peugeot 208.

Event details
The rally gets underway at 9:30 am on Sunday morning, featuring nine challenging stages in close proximity to Monaghan town.

After every three stages, crews will return to the official service park located at the Combi Lift factory in Monaghan.

Full details of the routes and entry list are available in the official event programme, which is on sale locally in the days leading up to the rally.

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