Kerry Crews Experience Mixed Fortunes at Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally
Niall Myers and his Donegal driver Oisin McShane led the local charge at Sunday’s Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally, securing a class victory and an impressive 14th overall finish in their Peugeot 208.
The result marks three consecutive class wins for the Kerry-Donegal pairing following victories on the Moonraker and Carlow rallies. The performance secures a strong haul of points for their MIJRS campaign with three rounds remaining, keeping them well in title contention despite missing the Birr round earlier in the season.
In Class 11F, Healy Pass co-driver Sean Duggan partnered Cork driver George Shinnors to a class win in their Honda Civic, finishing 27th overall.
Sean’s brother Brian Duggan proved less fortunate alongside Liam O’Sullivan in a Ford Fiesta R2.
O’Sullivan, who travelled home from New York for the weekend following an appearance in Ted’S Opel Run at Ballylickey on Saturday, was forced to retire on the opening stage of Sunday’s event.
Kerry driver Colin O’Meara and Kerry Motorsport News-supported co-driver Daniel Seaman finished 41st overall and sixth in Class 2A in a Peugeot 208 R2. Both competitors noted after the event that further seat time on gravel remains their main priority.
Elsewhere in Class 11F, Colin Neligan and Scot Deane brought their Ford Fiesta home 45th overall and fifth in class.
The Junior 1000 category saw tough conditions take a heavy toll on local entries, with overheating engines causing multiple retirements.
Aidan O’Leary and John Falvey emerged as the top Kerry finishers in the class, guiding their Toyota Aygo to 55th overall and seventh in Class 21.
David Slattery and Ger Somers endured a late scare in their Hyundai i10 when they dropped over three minutes on the final stage, but managed to cross the finish line 59th overall and 10th in class.
The remaining Kerry Junior 1000 competitors failed to reach the finish. Engine overheating issues sidelined James Spillane and Maurice McElligott’s SEAT Mii on Stage 7, while Frank Wahrton and Denny Greaney’s VW Up also retired on the same stage. Aidrian Wharton and Moss Costello’s rally came to an early end on Stage 1 in their Toyota Aygo.
Kerry Motorsport News 