Declan Boyle heads Donegal 1-2-3 at WexfordVolkswagen Rally

Donegal’s David Kelly (VW Polo GTi R5) finished in second spot 12.3s behind with Michael Boyle (VW Polo GTi R5) a further 8.3s behind to complete an all-Donegal top three.

In dusty conditions, Cronin set the pace on the first of Saturday’s nine stages where Michael Boyle was only half a second shy of the Ballylickey driver. Boyle’s father Declan was 4s further behind but was happy that his recently acquired Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 was “working nicely.”

The same could not be said about the Citroen C3 Rally2 of Derry’s Desi Henry, who struggled with issues concerning the pop-off valve and was down in tenth place. Brendan Cumiskey (VW Polo GTi) was fourth followed by Gary Kiernan, who reckoned his Ford Fiesta Rally2 had more to offer. The lack of seat time resulted in local ace James Stafford (Darrian T90 GTR) occupying an uncustomary 16th overall.

Cronin topped the time sheets on SS2 to move 5.2s clear of Michael Boyle and on the final stage of the loop Declan Boyle was quickest to move into second spot - 6s behind Cronin and 2.7s in front of his son Michael, who reckoned he clipped something on SS2. Kiernan slotted into fourth but reckoned he could have been more committed although changes to the car prior to the rally were paying dividends.

On the repeat of the loop, Michael Boyle posted a cracking time on SS4 to reclaim second - 3.8s behind Cronin, who admitted he was bit too cagey. The rally leader was impressive on SS5 and extended his lead to 7.1s as Declan Boyle moved back into second with Michael losing time with an overshoot. Kiernan and David Kelly (VW Polo GTi R5) were next with Henry’s Citroen C3 Rally2 performing somewhat better. At the day’s final service, Cronin led Declan Boyle by 4.8s, the latter best on SS6.

Cronin opted for a softer compound tyre for the final loop as it threatened to rain, he ended the leg with an 8.8s lead over Declan Boyle. Kiernan lost fourth place due to a puncture on SS8 that demoted him to sixth and elevated Kelly into fourth with Henry next.

The overnight top ten also featured Clonakilty’s Cal McCarthy (Citroen C3 Rally2); Armagh’s Jason Black (Toyota Starlet), who led the two-wheel drive category; and the Escorts of Jonathan Pringle and Johnno Doogan. Stafford retired on SS7 with mechanical issues.

Very wet conditions greeted the crews on Sunday's opening loop of three stages where Cronin admitted he drove poorly on SS 10 and 11 but was best on SS12 to lead Declan Boyle by 15.5s, the latter softening the set-up of his Skoda. Michael Boyle’s third place was under threat from a charging David Kelly, who had closed a previous deficit of 31.2s to just 4.8s.

On the repeat loop, Cronin tidied up his driving to move 17.3s ahead of Declan Boyle with Kelly continuing to set strong times, moving into third on SS13 and consolidating the position prior to the final loop.

The late drama unfolded with Cronin limping to the stage end with the turbo sensor issue, although he eventually sorted the problem, he had dropped to fourth, lost too much time and retired. New leader Declan Boyle was 25.9s clear of Kelly and was able to pace himself to his first win since March 2018 when he won the Mayo Rally in a Ford Fiesta WRC.

Behind the top three, Kiernan was fourth, Tommy Doyle recovered from a spin that brought some superficial damage to his Hyundai was fifth with Cork drivers Cal McCarthy and Jason McSweeney next ahead of eighth-placed Jonathan Pringle (Ford Escort), who won the modified category.

Meanwhile, Ballymena’s Ronan Doherty won the Leinster Trophy that was contested in Formula Vee at Mondello Park, Dublin duo Dan Polley and Gavan Buckley completed the podium.