Epic entry and sensational stages for Donegal Rally

The big one is upon us, and this year’s Donegal International Rally looks set to be one of its best.

Callum Devine and Noel O’Sullivan will defend their emotional Donegal victory 12 months ago from first on the road on this year’s event. Their Irish Tarmac Rally Championship campaign suffered blows in West Cork and the Circuit of Ireland but a much-needed win in Killarney has put them back in the mix.

Seeded second, Keith Cronin has been the man on form so far in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. Cronin has never won the Donegal International Rally before, famously finishing second to the late Manus Kelly by 0.5 seconds in 2016.

The 2016 Irish Tarmac Champion is looking for his third win in this year’s series and is in top form following victory on the Jim Clark Rally in May. Success in Donegal would go a long way in his bid for a second Irish Tarmac title but faces stiff competition from a string of Donegal winners.

Those include Monaghan brothers Josh and Sam Moffett who are both seeded within the top five and Declan Boyle and Garry Jennings who are running either side of tenth seed Cathan McCourt.

Matt Edwards and David Moynihan are hoping it will be third time lucky after an accident and mechanical issues scuppered their previous two Donegal assaults. They showed their pace in both years and victory on the Circuit of Ireland proved Edwards’ speed has carried through to 2024. Can Edwards become Donegal’s first Welsh winner since David Lleywellin in 1989?

Meirion Evans and Jonathan Jackson will be bidding to achieve the same feat aboard their Toyota Yaris Rally2. Evans will record his fourth Donegal International start with a third in 2022 his best result to date.

A sensational list of modified rally cars will tackle Donegal’s 20 stages this year with Kevin Gallagher’s Darrian T90 leading the way at car number 22.

Kevin Eves, Damien Tourish, and Mark Alcorn are next up but in reality, any one of modified’s top 15 crews are potential national rally victors.

Michael McDaid and Declan Casey top a 31-car-strong historic entry list. Their rally begins on Saturday morning’s opener – the famous Knockalla.

A total of 10 unique stages, all repeated once, make up an epic Donegal International Rally itinerary. Onthepacenote’s Killian Duffy gives us his take on the challenge that lies ahead.

Friday

Malin Head (14.3 km) – SS1/4

Malin Head is going to be a challenging opener for the 2024 Donegal International Rally. It is an extremely committed 14 kilometres on an undulating surface.

The fast corners will test the set-up of the rally cars from the off with those on the ball benefitting from the extra grip they will have.

To top it off there are plenty of blind crests that will bring drivers’ trust in their pacenotes to the fore.

Mamore Gap (12.6 km) – SS2/5

A new stage for this year’s route sitting southwest of Donegal’s Malin Head opener. Mamore Gap starts with a few straights, chicanes, and square junctions before embarking on a climb between Croaghcarragh and Mamore Hill.

There are some tight hairpins along the ascent while the descent toward the end of the stage offers an unbelievable section that will demand huge commitment from Donegal’s crews.

Coolcross (12.1 km) – SS3/6

Coolcross starts off quite fast and in general is another committed stage with sudden, medium-speed, downhill corners. There are bumpy sections to Friday’s final test as well making it another tricky stage to round out day one of rallying in Donegal.

Saturday

Knockalla (20.0 km) – SS7/9

A stage that needs no introduction, one of the finest and most famous in Ireland.

Knockalla is super fast, flowing, and committed along its coastline start before turning inland where the characteristics completely change.

The 20-kilometre test is the first on Saturday’s itinerary and gives crews a big chance to flip the script following Friday’s three stages.

Matt Edwards and Callum Devine have been the masters of Knockalla in recent years, can anyone challenge them this year?

Garrygort (10.6 km) – SS8/10

Garrygort is a brilliant stage to follow Knockalla with nice flowing corners and plenty of variation.

Its direction has been reversed from the last few years and crews should take care on several short, medium-speed corners that caught out a lot of people 12 months ago.

High Glen (12.0 km) – SS11/13

Another famous Donegal test which is running downhill on this year’s event.

The 12.5-kilometre stage is fast, committed, and flowing as it travels toward Glen Village. It then gets tight and twisty just after the village as the road runs along the lake before a really bumpy section before the end of Saturday’s penultimate test.

Lough Keel (10.6 km) – SS12/14

One of Donegal’s shorter stages completes Saturday’s schedule but it offers plenty of corners and driving. There are a few narrow sections with a lot going on between the start and finish lines.

Lough Keel is a bit more like a traditional inland Irish rallying stage.

Sunday

Gartan (13.6 km) – SS15/18

Sunday’s opener has been a sting in the tail for many crews that have tackled the Donegal International Rally over the years.

The corners come quickly on this low-grip stage and tighter corners generally have shorter distances to find your braking.

There is a new section around five kilometres into the stage and the finish has been altered which feels like an improvement to Gartan for 2024.

Atlantic Drive (12.3 km) – SS16/19

Atlantic Drive has to be up there among the best stages in the country with endless corners around the Rosguill peninsula.

Crews will tackle the stage in an anti-clockwise direction and will be captivated by the stage’s unique challenge rather than the scenic landscapes enjoyed at any other time of the year.

Fanad Head (19.9 km) – SS17/20

A really committed stage to complete the 2024 Donegal International Rally.

There is so much work in these 20 kilometres, barring the fast section past the football pitches this stage is an intensive end to three days of rallying.

There are plenty of grip changes throughout and it has to be on the list of top stages in the country.

The stage starts on the northwest of the peninsula, working its way down to Portsalon where crews can soak up the atmosphere of finishing this three-day classic.

---

Photos by Gavin Woods