Michael Boyle and Dermott McCafferty take first place in Cork

Michael Boyle, driving his Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 with co-driver Dermott McCafferty, captured victory at the Skibbereen Fastnet Rally over the weekend.

The Leitrimacaward native secured the top spot with a commanding 18.6-second lead over runners-up Daniel Cronin and Padraig O’Donovan.

Matthew Boyle completed the podium in third place, finishing 7.2 seconds behind his brother Michael, while their father, Declan Boyle, was unfortunate to retire early in the rally.

Ryan Loughran and Donegal’s Dale McGettigan claimed fourth overall, just 19.5 seconds adrift of the winners.

Donegal duo Patrick McHugh and Pauric McGettigan brought their Darrian home in 11th place overall.

In Class 11R, Milford’s Seamus Kelly and Letterkenny’s Pauric McGinley achieved a strong fourth-place finish in their Mk2 Ford Escort, a result that secured them the national championship title in the 1600cc Rear-Wheel Drive category.

Meanwhile, Glen’s Barry McLaughlin and Kerrykeel’s Barry McBride enjoyed success in Class 13, the 2.0L Rear-Wheel Drive division, earning second place in the National Class 13 Championship standings with their Mk1 Ford Escort.

In the historic section, another Donegal pair, Donagh Kelly and Rory Kennedy, took the win in their BMW M3. 

Junior champion Ronan Dorrian, co-driven by Kyle McDaid, continued his fine form by topping the junior category, while Donegal father-and-daughter pairing Liam and Leah Doherty claimed victory in the Dacia Challenge.