THERE was a dramatic conclusion to last weekend's O'Connell Group Cork '20' Rally, the final round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.

The Donegal crew of Michael Boyle/Dermot McCafferty (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) took a late victory after their rivals Derry's Desi Henry and his Wexford co-driver Andy Hayes, who led by 10.2 seconds entering the penultimate stage, slid off into a field. Although they got back on the stage, they retired soon after with some steering damage.

Boyle/McCafferty, whose Skoda is prepared and run by the AP/Art Rally Team that is run by former Timoleague resident Adam Platt, went on to take a nine-second victory over the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 of Declan Boyle (Michael's father) and Welsh co-driver Patrick Walsh.

Tyrone's Ryan Loughran (Ford Fiesta Rally2) and his Donegal co-driver Dale McGettigan were 26.8 seconds further behind in third. Michael Boyle became the 69th different winner of a round of the ITRC.

Clonakilty's Cal McCarthy and his Rosscarbery co-driver Eric Calnan were the top local crew – they finished fifth overall – matching McCarthy's previous best finish in the event that was in 2014 in the Acesigns Cork '20' International Rally where he campaigned a Honda Civic.

On what was his first stage rally since the Clonakilty Park West Cork Rally, Ovens driver Owen Murphy and Limerick's Anthony Nestor were eighth overall.

Unfortunately, Ballylickey's Daniel Cronin had a short-lived event – he crashed out in the second stage. Also, a blown turbo very early on the opening stage ended Clonakilty's David Guest hopes of a strong result; he re-joined under Super Rally.

Ulster drivers dominated from the start where the lead changed four times during Saturday's nine stages. Michael Boyle led initially, a three-second lead over Henry on SS1 remained so after SS2 when the stage was negated after Ballylickey's Daniel Cronin – who spun and lost some 30 seconds on the first stage – clipped a rock and rolled his Citroen C3 Rally2 out of the event where conditions were slippy. Henry was best on SS3 to move into a 2.4-second lead over Michael Boyle.

As the roads dried, Michael Boyle and Henry traded times with Boyle regaining top spot after Stage 4. Henry's response was immediate and with Michael Boyle's Skoda suffering brake troubles, Henry began to extend his advantage that, by the end of the day, stood 16.1 seconds. He was followed by the Boyles, Michael and Declan, in a top six completed by the Ford Fiesta Rally2 cars of Ryan Loughran and Matthew Boyle and the Citroen C3 Rally2 of Clonakilty's Cal McCarthy. Murphy was ninth.

On the opening loop on Sunday, Michael Boyle made the best tyre choice and duly cut the deficit to 5.1 seconds. However, out on SS13, Henry went 10.2 seconds ahead. Then, on a dramatic SS14, the Derry ace slid off on a left hander and into a field. Although he managed to get back on the stage he retired with steering problems. With a lead of 19.3 seconds Michael Boyle was able to slacken his pace to take his first ITRC event victory with his father Declan second and Tyrone's Ryan Loughran, 26.8 seconds further behind.

Matthew Boyle, in a Fiesta Rally2, finished fourth despite an exhaust manifold problem. Cal McCarthy, despite an excursion identical to Desi Henry's, completed the top five in his Citroen C3 Rally2. Ovens' Owen Murphy made some set-up changes during Saturday's leg before nursing his Citroen with an ailing clutch on Sunday to eighth place.