Commitment key to success on Monaghan Stages Rally

There is something special about a race through Monaghan’s countryside on an April Sunday.

Monaghan Motor Club has received a sell-out entry for its nine-stage Monaghan Stages Rally with 160 crews set to take on a trio of thrilling stages.

Josh Moffett leads the line in his Citroen C3 Rally2 – hoping a fourth victory on his home stages ignites his National Rally Championship campaign. Moffett was one of several drivers to retire on the first stage of last month’s Mayo Stages Rally.

Declan and Michael Boyle also return to National Championship action after falling foul to the same slippery Mayo junction on the eight-round series opener.

Their troubles allowed Sam Moffett to snatch his first rally win since 2021. Moffett is focusing his attention on the National Rally Championship this year and took four stage wins on his way to a 43.5-second round one victory.

Both Sam and Josh have three Monaghan wins to their name – be assured there will be no quarter given in this race for family bragging rights.

Daniel Cronin, Eddie Doherty, and Aidan Wray all impressed in Mayo and will be hoping to strengthen their National campaigns with a top result this weekend.

As expected, Monaghan’s race for two-wheel-drive laurels will be fought between a star-studded entry of modified masters.

Donegal’s Kevin Gallagher is seeded just ahead of an impatient array of local drivers in his Darrian T90. The rear-wheel-drive pacesetter will be favourite to spoil Monaghan’s chances of a home two-wheel-drive winner.

Richard Moffett tops the local modified charge in his Toyota Starlet and is seeded five places above his brother David who drives a sister Starlet.

Gary McPhillips and Daniel McKenna will renew their long-standing Monaghan rivalry in Ford Escorts while Dessie Keenan, Johno Doogan, and Michael Carbin will all be aiming for success on their home stages.

Damien Tourish, Rodney Wilton, Frank Kelly, Chris O’Callaghan, and Jason Black all feature at the front end of Monaghan’s modified madness. It really doesn’t get much better than that.

Onthepacenote’s Killian Duffy has given his thoughts on the three tricky tests that await the crews this Sunday.

Sheetrim (10.2 km) – SS1/4/7

Monaghan starts off with a short blast through Sheetrim and it is going to be a fantastic opener.

A fast time will demand full commitment through its 10 kilometres with plenty of really brave sections.

There are a few places that could teach you manners – it is a stage that needs the right balance of bravery and caution.

As if that isn’t enough there are twisty sections with tight corners appearing suddenly after crests.

It is just a proper Monaghan stage.

Silverstream (10.9 km) – SS2/5/8

Silverstream has similar characteristics to stage one although it is probably a bit faster overall.

It is just another cracking stage that crews can enjoy. It has a great flow so I have no doubt that drivers will be looking for another go at it as soon as they arrive at the stage end.

Factory Cross (12.2 km) – SS3/6/9

A rally-deciding stage with a lot of time on offer, Factory Cross is the perfect Monaghan Stages finale.

From the halfway point the corners require huge commitment with cars taking them at top speed.

These really fast sections end with slow to medium-speed corners that could catch out the unwary.

Monaghan has saved the longest stage to the end and I would say it is the trickiest test of the lot.

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Photo by D Harrigan Images