Longford Rally launch hints at 2025 National Rally Championship contenders

The launch of the Jeremy O’Connor Longford Arms Hotel Rally on Sunday offered a preview to the 2025 Triton Showers National Rally Championship. 

Club Chairperson Vincent Collins welcomed all to the launch and spoke in particular about Jeremy O’Connor (former rally clerk of the course and club member) who sadly passed away in June 2024 and what he meant to the club with Jeremy’s family in attendance

Clerk of the Course Cyril Rollins gave a brief outline of the event. He said: “I thank all the sponsors, in particular Orlagh Reynolds from the Longford Arms Hotel and Paul Rowley from Admore Air Conditioning.”

Inspector Declan McGlynn spoke briefly about the role of the Gardai on a weekend of the rally and they will have a high profile on the roads during the rally weekend.

“I wish the organisers well and ask that rally fans drive safely and enjoy the rally,” he said.

The launch event, hosted at the Longford Arms Hotel, revealed a strong entry list for the championship opener on March 2.

“We are again delighted to be working with the Midland Club, their events always prove an exciting start to the series and i hope that the high level of competition that closed 2024 will continue and build throughout 2025,” said Triton Showers National Rally Championship chairman Declan Tumulty.

The entry list features a mix of national and international talent. 

Josh McErlean, fresh from his World Rally Championship Rallye Monte Carlo experience, will drive a Ford Fiesta Rally2 with co-driver Eoin Treacy.  Fans can meet them at the ceremonial start at the Longford Arms Hotel on March 1.

Can anyone challenge reigning champion Josh Moffett (Hyundai i20 Rally2), who is aiming for his fifth consecutive title? 

His brother Sam in another Hyundai will be among those trying to stop him.

Daniel Cronin will finally debut his Citroen C3 Rally2 after the Galway postponement. 

Eddie Doherty (Skoda Fabia R5) is also expected to be a frontrunner.  Former British champion Matt Edwards (Hyundai) adds to the competition on his second visit to Longford.

Former Irish National champion Declan Boyle (Skoda Fabia Rally2) returns, while Robert Barrable makes a welcome return to the series and will drive either a Ford Fiesta or Skoda Fabia. 

“I will enter the first four rounds and take it from there,” said the Dubliner.

Local driver Tommy Doyle (Hyundai) will be aiming for a strong result. Desi Henry (Citroen) is another driver to watch.

Michael Boyle, Gary Kieran (Ford Fiesta Rally2), Kevin Eves, and Shane Quinn are all potential contenders.

Cathan McCourt, Edwards’ Hyundai teammate also joins the field.

In the modified class, Gary McPhillips (Ford Escort), Kevin Gallagher and Barry Morris (both Darrian T90s), and Mickey Carbin (Ford Escort) are expected to be the main contenders.

Local drivers Keelan Grogan (Peugeot 208 Rally4), Stephen Faughan (Ford Escort) are also entered while Paul Rowley and Enda McCormack return from their New York base for their home event.

Aoife Raftery will make her delayed Rally3 debut in a Ford Fiesta, while her brother Dean will compete in a similar car. 

Racing driver Morgan Dempsey adds further interest to the oversubscribed entry list.

Registrations for the Triton Showers Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship can be made via:

https://www.irishnationalrallychamp.com/app-land

Photos by Lorna Kennedy