Circuit of Munster Stages Rally 2009: Maguire takes last stage victory after Elliott crashes out

Photo: Roy Dempster (www.roydempster.com)

Niall Maguire (pictured above on the recent Monaghan Rally), driving his Subaru S11 WRC, took victory on the final stage of the Dunlop National Rally Championship Circuit of Munster after Patrick Elliott crashed out from the lead.

Elliott had been leading by five seconds in his Subaru S12B WRC going into the last test but put the car off up a bank. He had led the rally from the outset prior to the accident.

A relieved Maguire said at the finish:

It was very close with Patrick all day. When he stalled we stalled. In stage 5 we went into a bog and got going and dropped 8s and then we took it back. So we went into the last stage 5s apart and he put his car on top of a bank. After that I could hardly concentrate to get to the finish. The stages were brilliant today and the rally was very well run.

Kevin Barrett (Subaru Impreza S11 WRC) was promoted to second overall, following Elliott's demise, with Eamonn Daly taking third overall and Group N honours in his Mitsubishi Evo.

Daly was fortunate to win the production category following the retirement of leader Kevin Kelleher with gear selection problems and then Garry Jennings lost two minutes with gearbox maladies also.

Michael Curran from Oldcastle took an impressive 2WD category win in his Mk2 Escort and claimed an excellent fourth overall.

Winner Niall Maguire now leads the Dunlop National Rally Championship after four rounds.

2009 Circuit of Munster Stages Rally Provisional Results:

1st (2) Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Impreza WRC) 1.19.0
2nd (3) Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Impreza WRC) 1.20.10
3rd (7) Eamonn Daly/Anthony O'Connaill (Lancer N) 1.23.47
4th (147) Michael Curran/Alan Whyte (Escort) 1.25.10
5th (9) Garry Jennings/David Moynihan (Lancer N) 1.25.26
6th (33) Eddie Power/Jonathan McGrath (Corolla WRC) 1.25.50
7th (8) Thomas Fitzmaurice/Fionn Foley (Lancer N) 1.26.03
8th (28) Paul Elliott/Brian Doherty (Lancer N) 1.26.17
9th (14) Ed Synan/Denis O'Connell (Escort) 1.26.17
10th (78) Tom Cahill/Des Sherlock (Lancer N) 1.28.31

Source: rallynews.net

Circuit of Munster 2009 video from Ben O Sullivan on Vimeo.