Kingdom Championship prizegiving heads to Castleisland as title race goes to final round
By Kerry Motorsport News
The 2026 Moriarty’s Central Car Sales Kingdom of Kerry Rally Championship awards presentation moves to a new venue this season, with the River Island Hotel in Castleisland confirmed to host the end-of-year ceremony on Saturday, December 19 (time to be confirmed).
Serving as a central location between host clubs Kerry Motor Club and Killarney and District Motor Club, the decision reflects a deliberate move to support venues that actively back local rallying. The River Island Hotel forms part of the O’Donoghue Ring Collection, which also includes the Killarney Towers Hotel, headquarters for the upcoming final round, the 30th anniversary Killarney Historic Rally.
With three counting rounds completed across the Assess Ireland Rally of the Lakes and the Rose Hotel Kerry Summer Rally, the local series now moves to its final decider.
The Overall Title Permutations
In the overall drivers’ standings, Darren Young currently holds top spot on 33 points after securing maximum points from three class wins alongside 3 starting bonus points.
If Young and his co-driver Pa Lawlor start the Killarney Historic Rally, they will collect 2 additional bonus points for starting all counting rounds, pushing their respective totals to an unbeatable 35 points.
However, if they fail to start or run into trouble, the overall championship permutations open up dramatically as drop scores come into play, with only the best three scores counting toward the final tally.
Among the drivers, chasers like Dave Slattery (27 points) and Vincent O’Shea (25 points) can both sneak into contention, while Rob Duggan (22 points) also remains in the mathematical frame.
A mirror battle is unfolding in the navigators’ championship behind leader Pa Lawlor (33 points). Second-placed Denis Coffey (27 points) and third-placed Eoin O’Donoghue (25 points) are both within striking distance of the overall crown if drop scores and final-round points fall their way. Right behind them, fourth-placed Noel O’Sullivan (22 points), co-driving alongside Kris Meeke, could also mount a late charge.
With drop scores, starting bonuses, and class placings all shifting the math on the final day, tie-breaker rules are almost certain to be applied this year.
The Historic Championship Battle
As crews prepare for the final counting round on home turf, the battle for the dedicated Historic category title remains wide open.
Fergus O’Meara and co-driver Brian Duggan lead the Historic category on 18 points in their BMW M3 E30 after scoring 8 points on both days of the Rally of the Lakes. Competitors are reminded that crews must be fully paid-up members of an eligible club (either Kerry Motor Club or Killarney and District Motor Club) to qualify as per championship regulations.
Sitting one point behind on 17 points are Paul Ahern and Kieran Murphy in their BMW M3 E30, having scored across all three rounds. Mark Falvey remains within striking distance on 16 points in his Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2.
Straight Fight in the Ladies Title Race
A completely separate and highly competitive contest is taking place for the ladies’ title in the co-drivers’ classification between Emma Looney and Elaine Ní Shé.
Elaine Ní Shé sits on 8 points heading into the decider, while Emma Looney leads the way on 9 points alongside her father, Pat Looney.
All remaining class positions and championship titles will be decided across the Killarney Historic Rally stages before the trophies are presented at the River Island Hotel on December 19.
Moriarty’s Central Car Sales Kingdom of Kerry Rally Championship Standings (After Round 3)
Top 10 Drivers
| Position | Driver | Total Points |
| 1 | Darren Young | 33 |
| 2 | Dave Slattery | 27 |
| 3 | Vincent O’Shea | 25 |
| 4 | Rob Duggan | 22 |
| 5 | Fergus O’Meara (H) | 18 |
| 6 | Paul Ahern (H) | 17 |
| 7 | Mark Falvey (H) | 16 |
| 8 | Mossie Costello | 15 |
| =8 | Mike Neligan | 15 |
| 10 | Tommy Mason | 14 |
Top 10 Navigators
| Position | Navigator | Total Points |
| 1 | Pa Lawlor | 33 |
| 2 | Denis Coffey | 27 |
| 3 | Eoin O’Donoghue | 25 |
| 4 | Noel O’Sullivan Jr | 22 |
| =4 | John McCarthy | 22 |
| 6 | Shane Buckley | 18 |
| =6 | Brian Duggan (H) | 18 |
| 8 | Kieran Murphy (H) | 17 |
| 9 | John Hurley | 15 |
| 10 | Paul McGlinchey | 14 |
