The opening round of the 2025 Triton Showers Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship has attracted a bumper entry, with 165 cars confirmed and a lengthy reserve list.
Midland Motor Club, organisers of the Jeremy O’Connor, Longford Arms Stages Rally released the entry list on last Wednesday.
The entry list boasts a mix of national and international talent. Josh McErlean, fresh from his World Rally Championship outings in Monte Carlo and Sweden, will drive a Ford Fiesta Rally2 with co-driver Eoin Treacy.
They carry their WRC number 55 but will run first on the road. Reigning champion Josh Moffett, aiming for his fifth consecutive title, has opted for Citroen C3 Rally2 power and he and co-driver Keith Moriarty are seeded second.
Former British champion Matt Edwards (Hyundai i20 Rally2) adds to the competition on his second visit to Longford, with co-driver David Moynihan. They will start at three.
Eddie Doherty and Tom Murphy will be chasing a maiden win in their Skoda Fabia. Josh Moffett’s brother Sam, in another Hyundai, starts just behind with new co-driver Shane Buckley.
Daniel Cronin will finally debut his Citroen C3 Rally2 after the Galway postponement, with co-driver Donnchadh Burke.
The third in the top Citroen belongs to Desi Henry and Shane Byrne with Robert Barrable making a welcome return to the series in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2.
In the modified class, Kevin Gallagher is the top seed in his Darrian GTR T90. Gary McPhillips (Ford Escort) and Mickey Carbin (Ford Escort) are expected to be the main contenders in the Mk2 Challenge section.
Local crew Stephen Faughnan and club secretary Brides will drive a Ford Escort Mk2 in class 13. Billy Coleman award winner Craig Rahill leads the hotly contested Rally4 class, with competition from local ace Keelan Grogan.
Both drivers will field Peugeot 208 Rally4 cars. Local natives Paul Rowley and Enda McCormack return from their New York base for their home event.
