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25 Jun 2022
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25 Jun 2022
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Eamon McGee is joined by John Lyons, Rory Kennedy, James Cullen, Seamus McGettigan and Cahal Curley. Photos: Kevin Glendenning
The Joule Donegal International Rally returns this week - with an entry list to really whet the appetite.
On Friday morning, 161 crews will leave the start ramp and make for 20 of the most testing stages of rallying in the world.
Competitors will take on 301km across 20 special stages in the only three-day rally remaining on the Irish rallying calendar.
The Friday stages see two loops each of Dooish Hill, An Grianan and Mouldy Hill, the same as the last staging in 2019.
Gartan has traded placed with Fanad Head with Gartan now alongside High Glen and the famous Atlantic Drive on the third and final day.
Saturday will see crews go to Carnhill, Fanad Head and Knockalla.
Sam Moffett will be back in an attempt to retain his crown while his brother, Josh, has won five times in five starts so far in 2022.
Callum Devine, Alastair Fisher, Cathan McCourt, Merion Evans, Declan Boyle and Garry Jennings are other leading names, not to mention triple British champion Matt Edwards.
Local favourites like Eamonn Kelly, Joe McGonigle, Damien Tourish, Declan Gallagher and Kevin Gallagher are all included among the top 20 entries.
“It’s a good challenge,” said Clerk of the Course Eamon McGee.
“The challenge will be taken up by these drivers; some of them are the best in Europe. We put the test down and they take it up,
“There isn’t an event in Europe that will hold 210 cars and that’s what we’ll have out (junior and historic events also take place over the weekend).
“We are expecting a big crowd ad we’re appealing to everyone to abide nay the marshals and keep the rally in a safe place.”
Chairman of the Donegal Motor Club Brian Brogan said the entry and the expected influx of people into Donegal was a ‘huge vote of confidence’.
He said: “It’s very important to see people back here now. We had a big gap to 2019, but people want to be back and are glad to be out again.
“The founder members took the Donegal Rally to international level and it’s our job to keep it at International level.”
A group of children and teenagers with Cllr Martin McDermott, leas-chathaoirleach, Donegal County Council enjoying the sunshine at the official opening of Portaleen viewing point
PHOTO: Naomh Conaill GAA Club /Facebook
The opening of the Changing Places facility at Narin. PHOTO: Thomas Gallagher
The late Aengus Friel Lawrence performing at the Earagail Arts Festival in 2021
Cllr Barry Sweeny (FG) hands over the Cathaoirleach's chain of office to Cllr Niamh Kennedy (Ind). PHOTO: Siobhán McNamara
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