Podium finish for Mayo duo on rally return
ON Sunday last thousands of spectators soaked up the blistering sun while attending the Tipperary Motor Club’s Stonethrowers Rally, on a day which saw Monaghan’s Josh Moffett and Limerick co-driver Keith Moriarty clinch the Triton Showers-backed Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship.
Moffett and Moriarty produced a start to finish victory at the Clonmel-based event. The pair finished just over a minute ahead of Dubliner Gareth MacHale in a VW Polo R5 with Cork’s David Guest in a Ford Fiesta Rally2 a further 40 seconds behind in third.
The Cavan/Derry partnership of Chris Armstrong and Gavin Doherty in a Ford Escort were the top two-wheel drive crew, finishing sixth overall.
The big local news from the event was the return of John Warren and Ruthann O’Connor to the stages in their distinctive McHale Fusion Toyota Corolla. John had been sidelined with a non-rally related injury to his hand requiring a hard cast, which forced him out of his green machine and to miss a number of events over the last 12 weeks.
Warren admitted he was rusty on the opening loop of three stages but composure and calmness helped by Ruthann in the navigator seat saw the south Mayo husband and wife team soar up the leader board without incident over the remaining tests on the nine stage event.
Despite the oven-like conditions in the cars, John and Ruthann held their nerve to finish on the podium of Class 13 and in 15th place overall from 144 starters.
Not only that but Ruthann claimed the accolade of the highest placed female competitor at the event.
Speaking after the finish ramp Ruthann was in a jocular mood: "What makes today’s result even more amazing is due to a tweet that went viral on Saturday morning from no other that the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins."
The tweeted photos of McHale balers in action in front of Áras an Uachtaráin kickstarted a rumour that John wouldn’t be available to do the rally as he had an appointment/job on in Dublin at the weekend!
John added afterwards that the main thing was that Michael D. got his bales made and the weather held and they got back into the car and brought home some silverware!