AT the end of the third day of the AA Circuit of Ireland Rally yesterday, Bertie Fisher maintained his lead one minute 29 seconds ahead of Austin McHale, who powered himself back into contention by winning six of the eight stages to pull ahead of Andrew Nesbitt. Drew Wylie leads the historic section by a massive seven minutes.

Curcuit Of Ireland Rally (after day three): 1, B Fisher 2 mins. 50.21 secs.; 2, A McHale 2-51.50; 3, A Nesbitt 2-53.13; 4, E Boland 2-54.46; 5, S Murphy 2-55.53; 6, H M Doherty 2-57.48; 7, J Leckey 3-00.04; 8, P Kirk 3-08.48 (Leeds Group N); 9, D McGarrity 309.43; 10, C Arthurs 3-16.09.