AS expected, Monaghan's Josh Moffett (Hyundai i20 R5) won the popular Boggeragh Rallysprint near Nad in north Cork over the festive season.
The younger Moffett finished 20.4 seconds ahead of his older brother Sam, who also steered the same car.
Campaigning an TGM (Tom Gahan Motorsport) Opel Corsa Rally4, Ballylickey's Robert Cronin was the top West Cork driver, finishing 12th overall. Co-driven by Cashel's Paddy Heffernan, he was second in Class 3B.
ADVERTISEMENT
The event marked the rally debut of another of the Cronin family, Colin, who also drove the same car. He was co-driven by Tipperary's Micheál Maher, and finished an impressive 18th overall and winner of Class 2A.
Elsewhere, Rosscarbery co-driver Eric Calnan partnered Killeagh's Eoin Treacy (Toyota Corolla) to third in Class 2B where Coachford's Damien O'Donovan (Ford Fiesta) and his Bantry co-driver Vincent Goggin were fourth in the same class. Dunmanway's Matt and Catherine Shinnors (Mitsubishi Lancer E6) had a troubled outing – electrical issues that could not be sorted saw them fail to start any of the four timed runs.
On the opening run in cold but dry conditions, Josh Moffett set the pace and led his brother Sam by 2.5 seconds with Carrick-on-Suir's James Dunphy (Ford Fiesta R5) a further 1.5 seconds behind in third.
Two young drivers posted impressive times with Meath's Cian Caldwell, who was debuting an ex-M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally3, in fourth followed by former Billy Coleman award winner Kilkenny's Jack Brennan, also in a Ford Fiesta Rally3.
The Mitsubishi Lancer E9 of Navan's Alan Shinnors and his Ballincollig co-driver Brian Duggan were seventh. Top seed and defending champion, Cashel's Pat O'Connell (Ford Fiesta R5), had to be content with ninth following issues with the coil pack about halfway through the 5.6km stage; he was 20.2 seconds off the lead. Robert Cronin was 15th while Colin was 25th and led Class 2A.
Not surprisingly, most drivers improved their stage times on the second run with Josh Moffett cutting 5.3 seconds from his first run to push his lead over his brother Sam out to eight seconds. Dunphy maintained third and was only 1.1 seconds behind Sam Moffett. Robert Cronin moved up one position while Colin climbed four places, both were untroubled.
Another fastest stage time (SS3) saw Josh Moffett extend his lead to 11.6 seconds, Sam (Moffett) losing vital time when he clipped a bale soon after the stage start. The top six order remained unchanged. Colin Cronin remained 14th as Colin made up one place to slot into 22nd position.
On the fourth and final run Josh Moffett sealed a fine win. Dunphy took third, 6.3 seconds behind Sam Moffett with Brennan edging out Caldwell for fourth by a margin of just 0.2 seconds.
Results: 1. J. Moffett/G. J. Downey (Hyundai i20 R5) 11m. 07.7s; 2. S. Moffett/J. O'Reilly (Hyundai i20 R5)+20.4s; 3. J. Dunphy/G. Shinnors (Ford Fiesta R5)+26.7s; 4. J. Brennan/D. Harrington (Ford Fiesta Rally3)+48.6s; 5. C. Caldwell/D. Long (Ford Fiesta Rally3)+48.8s; 6. P. O'Connell/M. Wiley (Ford Fiesta R5)+51.8s; 7. C. Kelly/A. O'Regan (Ford Fiesta)+1m. 02.4s; 8. A. Shinnors/B. Duggan (Mitsubishi Lancer E9)+1m. 24.2s; 9. M. Murphy/S. Murphy (Subaru Impreza)+1m. 47.0s; 10. D. Brady/L. Callaghan (Ford Fiesta Rally4)+1m. 49.6s.
***
The Motorsport Ireland National Navigation Trial Championship and the Munster Navigation series will resume next weekend with the Cork Motor Club's 1000 Shakes Navigation Trial. The 105-mile event will be based in the CYMS Hall in Inchigeelagh with the first car away at 10.01pm.
