West Cork Rally win for Moffett & Hayes

Josh Moffett & Andy Hayes (Toyota Yaris) took their third West Cork Rally win in five years after a high
speed final day that saw them hold off the challenge of Callum Devine / Noel O’Sullivan and Eddie
Doherty / Tom Murphy. Heading into the final days six stages, Moffett led by twenty one seconds from
Doherty with Devine a further eight seconds further back. Doherty cut the lead slightly on the opening
Ballinacarriga stage only for Moffett to respond with a fastest time of his own on Sams Cross. Devine
issued a challenge to the leading pair on Ardfield with a stunning time but was still over thirty seconds off
the lead at this point. The weather varied from bright sunshine to sudden showers which made tyre
choice occasionally difficult for the crews. Shane Quinn was a retirement on the opening loop having
gone off the road but made it to the end of the stage where he withdrew.
David Kelly held fourth place with Sam Touzel and Declan Boyle swapping places behind him. The last
loop of stage saw Moffett manage his lead well, with Doherty coming under increasing pressure from
Devine, the gap just 0.5 seconds with just the second Ardfield test remaining. Moffett kept his cool to win
by just 9.9 seconds from Devine who put a monumental push on the last stage to pip Doherty for second
place, despite the Kilkenny driver also putting in a time almost fifteen seconds quicker than his previous
run over the stage. Doherty had to be content with third place just over fifteen seconds behind the
winner. The result throws open the NAPA Autoparts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship after two rounds,
with Devine, Moffett and Doherty holding the top three places.
David Kelly was comfortable in fourth place, with Sam Touzel finally getting the better of Declan Boyle
towards the end to take fifth place. Cathan McCourt was a late retirement with mechanical issues on the
second run over Ballinacarriga. The national category was won impressively by John Dalton & Eurig Davies
in their Darrian as well as finishing tenth overall. Frank & Lauren Kelly took second in their Escort with
Michael Carbin and Conor Mohan taking third in another Escort. Local crew Jason McSweeney & Dylan
Doonan (Ford Escort WRC) were comprehensive winners of the Historic category, Adrian Evans / Jordan
Jones (BMW M3) finished second with Ronan Campbell / Denny Greaney (Ford Escort Mk2) in third. The
Junior Rally saw Darragh Walsh & Gary Lombard retain their title from 2025. Kyle Browne finished second
with James O’Riordan in third place, all the top three were driving a Honda Civic.
Top 6 Overnight
1 – Josh Moffett & Andy Hayes Toyota Yaris Rally 2 1:57.15.6
2 – Callum Devine & Noel O’Sullivan Skoda Fabia Rally 2 1:57:25.5
3 – Eddie Doherty & Tom Murphy Skoda Fabia Rally 2 1:57:30.8
4 – David Kelly & Shane Buckley Skoda Fabia Rally 2 1:59:57.1
5 – Sam Touzel & Max Freeman Ford Fiesta Rally 2 2:00:55.2
6 – Declan Boyle & Patrick Walsh Skoda Fabia Rally 2 2:01:04.3