Daniel Cronin came out on top after a titanic battle with Eddie Doherty to win the 2024 Carlow Rally, his first win since Wexford last year.
It seemed like it was going to be a four way battle for that top spot as both Moffett brothers Josh and Sam where trading fastest times in the morning loop.
However mechanical issues halfway through the rally forced both of them to retire to which opened the door for Cronin, Doherty and Meirion Evans who was making a return to Irish Tarmac in his new Toyota Yaris Rally 2 an opportunity to be the third different winner in this years National Rally Championship.
With three stages remaining Cronin looked comfortable at the top with an 18 second leads, Doherty had other ideas.
Setting the fastest times in stages 6, 7 & 8 the gap was down to under 10 seconds and he was pushing into the final stage with Evans faltering near the end it was a two horse race.
Doherty & Murphy gave it their all but it wasn’t enough to surpass Cronin and Burke to which they won by just 4 seconds.
Evans and Jackson claimed a respectable third in the Toyota. There first podium for the Welshmen since last years Cork 20 Rally. Declan & Michael Boyle completed the top 5 positions.
Donegal driver Kevin Gallagher and co-driver Ryan Moore won the modified section of the Carlow Stages Rally. The pair took the win in their Darrian T90 GTR. Matthew Boyle won the Billy Coleman Award counting Class 2 in his Peugeot 208 Rally4 & the Kelly duo came out on top in the MK2 challenge.
