Motor Sport: Eugene Donnelly's rallying programme suffered a major set-back when the Magherafelt driver crashed his Subaru Impreza WRC out of second spot early on the Circuit of Ireland last weekend.
Having won the National Forestry Stages rally he scored his first international win on the West 2002 in Galway. Donnelly dominated the Mayo stages to claim a maximum 20 points on the opening round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship.
Donnelly will put any psychological effects of his Easter mishap behind him in Sunday's Monaghan Rally as he goes for victory in round two. His biggest challenge will come from reigning champion and local hero Niall Maguire, as well as Dublin driver Michael Barrable and Londoner James Harrison. David Armstrong in a Ford Escort WRC and Charlie Donnelly in a Toyota Celica are expected to be well up there with the first four Subaru drivers. The top 10 also features Patrick Elliott and Adrian McElvaney in Subarus, Glen Allen in an Escort WRC and Kieran Shaw in yet another Subaru.
Others drivers in the capacity entry include Seán Gallagher, Ivan Stewart, George Robinson, James McCann, Hal Lewis in Escort Cosworths and local pair Mac McKenna and Dessie Keenan, who are both driving Peugeots.
Run out of Monaghan town, the rally follows the standard format of 3x3 stages, at Selloo, Feebah and Sheetrim, with service at the Hillgrove Hotel.
Dunlop National Rally Championship points after Round One are: 1, Eugene Donnelly 20; 2, Michael Barrable 18; 3, James Harrison 16; 4. Adrian McElvaney 14; 5, Patrick Elliott 13; 6, Kieran Shaw 12.
Ballyvaughan in the Burren area of Co Clare is the venue for the weekend's two opening rounds of the Dunlop National Hillclimb Championship.
The sporting trial events for 2002/'03 finish with the traditional end of season weekend. Tomorrow evening's festivities and overnight stay are in the Minella Hotel in Clonmel, the venue for the two "mud plug" events is at Dualla near Cashel.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday: Galway MC, Hillclimb, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare, 11.00; MEC, Sporting Trial, Cochranes quarry, Dualla, Co. Tipperary, 13.00.
Sunday: Co. Monaghan MC, Monaghan Rally, starts Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan, 10.00; Galway MC, Hillclimb, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare, 11.00; IKC, Kart Racing, Mondello Park, 12.00; Clare MC, Autocross, Whelan's quarry, Foutain, Co. Clare, 12.00; MEC, Sporting Trial, Cochranes quarry, Dualla, Co Tipperary, 13.00.
