Moffett Seizes Galway victory and strengthens grip on Triton Showers Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship.
Photos by Dermot Kelleher
Josh Moffett and Keith Moriarty delivered a decisive performance aboard their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 to secure overall victory on the Bluebird Care Galway Summer Rally, round six of the Triton Showers Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship.
The victory caps a remarkable month for Moffett following recent wins in Monaghan, on the Ulster International Rally, and at the Cork Forestry Rally. The Monaghan driver now leads four major Irish titles: the Triton-backed National Championship, the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the Forest Rally Championship, and the Top Part West Coast Rally Championship.
Kevin Eves and Chris Melly (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) set the early pace, holding a slim 1.7-second lead over Moffett and Moriarty into the first service break at Ballinasloe Livestock Mart. Keelan Grogan and Ayrton Sherlock (Ford Fiesta Rally2) ran third, occupying a space between the lead duo and fourth-placed Daniel Cronin and Padraig O’Donovan (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2).
“It is a very special feeling to finish on the podium of a rally you grew up watching,” said local Galway Motor Club co-driver Sherlock on taking third overall alongside Grogan.
There was early drama on the opening loop when title contender Shane Quinn and co-driver Stephen Reynolds beached their Fiesta Rally2 and were forced to retire, dealing a severe blow to their championship hopes.
The battle shifted on the second loop. Opting for fresh rubber, Moffett launched an attack across the afternoon stages, overhauling Eves to build an eight-second advantage at the second service break. Eves and Melly brought their Škoda home in second, 7.6 seconds adrift, while Grogan and Sherlock completed the overall podium in third, 29.1 seconds off the lead.
The modified category provided high drama, with the top two modified crews securing top-six overall finishes. Aaron McIntyre and Darren O’Brien (Toyota Starlet RWD) took class victory and an extraordinary fourth overall. Daniel Cronin and Padraig O’Donovan settled for fifth overall in their GR Yaris Rally2, just 6.2 seconds behind McIntyre.
Daniel McKenna and Andrew Grennan (Ford Escort Mk2) claimed second in the modified division and sixth overall. McKenna managed his pace to stay well clear of class rivals despite an engine sensor malfunction on the opening stage that caused power loss throughout the day. His drive also secured him the Ford Escort Mk2 trophy put up by Galway Motor Club sponsor Torsten Schmidt for a second time.
Ben McIntyre and Anthony McDonald (Toyota Starlet RWD) completed the modified top three, finishing seventh overall and taking Class 13 honours. Main modified contender Brian Lavelle and co-driver Jack Kelly retired their Escort Mk2 on Stage 6 following heavy contact with a chicane.
Scottish crew Gordon Morrison and Ashleigh Will (Ford Escort Mk2) finished eighth overall and third in Class 14, collecting another big haul of points in the National Mk2 Escort trophy where they remain odds-on to become the first overseas winners of the title.
Top 10 Overall Results:
Josh Moffett / Keith Moriarty (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) – 38:32.7
Kevin Eves / Chris Melly (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) – 38:40.3 (+7.6s)
Keelan Grogan / Ayrton Sherlock (Ford Fiesta Rally2) – 39:01.8 (+29.1s)
Aaron McIntyre / Darren O’Brien (Toyota Starlet RWD) – 39:08.0 (+35.3s) (1st Modified)
Daniel Cronin / Padraig O’Donovan (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) – 39:27.5 (+54.8s)
Daniel McKenna / Andrew Grennan (Ford Escort Mk2) – 40:04.4 (+1:31.7) (2nd Modified)
Ben McIntyre / Anthony McDonald (Toyota Starlet RWD) – 40:25.1 (+1:52.4) (3rd Modified)
Gordon Morrison / Ashleigh Will (Ford Escort Mk2) – 40:35.5 (+2:02.8)
Tom Jnr Holton / Stephen Joyce (Ford Fiesta Rally2) – 40:40.9 (+2:08.2)
Barry McLaughlin / Barry McBride (Ford Escort Mk1) – 40:46.9 (+2:14.2)
Support Categories: Stellantis Cup, Juniors, Historics, and Dacia Challenge
Class 2 produced a tight battle that doubled as Round 3 of the Stellantis Rally Cup Ireland. Ben McFall and Mark McGeehan (Ford Fiesta Rally4) claimed the Class 2 win at 17th overall.
In the Stellantis Cup competition, Oran England and Darragh Mullen (Peugeot 208 Rally4) took top points, completing a hat-trick of three consecutive series wins from three starts. Overcoming morning chicane contact, England finished second in Class 2 and 18th overall, just 6.2 seconds behind McFall. Danny Brady and Damien Sheridan (Peugeot 208 Rally4) finished second in Stellantis and third in Class 2, 4.6 seconds behind England. Jack Byrne and Tommy Hayes completed the Stellantis podium.
The Junior category (Class 16) went to Patrick Doherty and Patrick Durning in a Honda Civic. Shane Maguire and Reece Kenny finished second, 19.3 seconds behind, on Maguire’s first outing as a driver and Kenny’s co-driving debut. Kyle McHugh and Patrick McHugh took third.
The Historic category saw Noel Doyne and Sean Og Doyne take top honours in their Class 18 Ford Escort. Michael Cullen and Lorcan Moore brought their Class 19 BMW E30 M3 home in second, with Vincent Collins and Jane Collins finishing third in a Class 18 Ford Escort.
In the Dacia Sandero Challenge, brother-and-sister crew Cillian Doherty and Lauren Doherty secured class victory.
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