The 2025 Triton Showers National Rally Championship moves into its penultimate act this Sunday with the Loughrea Plant & Tool Hire Clare Stages Rally, promoted by Clare Motor Club and based once again out of Ennis.
The return of much-loved stages such as Ruan and Ballinruan adds extra spice to the nine-stage contest, which brings together all the leading contenders in what has been one of the most competitive championship campaigns in recent seasons. The title race remains wide open with just two rounds left.
Kilkenny driver Eddie Doherty, co-driven by Tom Murphy from Askeaton, heads the table on 91 points after a season that has yielded two victories and a string of consistent finishes.
Ten points back is the reigning champion, Josh Moffett from Clontibret, partnered by Abbeyfeale’s Keith Moriarty.
Declan Boyle and Patrick Walsh are only a further two points adrift, with Derry’s Desi Henry still in striking range on 75.
With dropped scores still to come into play, no one can afford a misstep in Clare. Doherty’s breakthrough victory in Tralee back in April was the moment his title charge caught fire.
He followed it with another win in Sligo, and although mechanical issues robbed him of victory in his home event at Raven’s Rock, his ability to fight back has kept him at the head of the standings.
Josh Moffett is attempting to extend an unprecedented run of National titles, and although his season has not been flawless, victories in Cavan and the ALMC Hellfire Rally show that he is still the benchmark.
Switching machinery during the season has not slowed his pace, and with Moriarty back at his side, the Monaghan man remains a title favourite.
Declan Boyle has put together one of his best National campaigns in years. Driving the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 with Patrick Walsh, he has been a regular podium visitor and scored an excellent second place in Sligo.
While the focus will be on the overall championship, Clare will also see big competition in the Modified and Rally4 categories.
Virginia’s Chris Armstrong tops a strong Escort line-up that also includes Tim Flood, Sean Moran, Stephen Faughnan, Barry McLaughlin, Mickey Conlon, and Mike Quinn.
Brian Brady, fresh from his Class 13 win in Oldcastle adds front-wheel-drive spice in his Honda Civic.
In Rally4, Cian Caldwell and Oran England have traded wins throughout the season, while local drivers Michael Fitzgibbon and Dean Murphy will carry the Clare colours in their Peugeot 208s.
The class has provided some of the closest battles of the season, and Sunday should be no different.
Dean Raftery returns to National competition in a Ford Fiesta Rally3, his first outing since Longford in March and is the leading class 4 entry.
Donegal’s Ronan Dorrian is favourite to seal the National Junior crown in his Honda Civic. Local ace Anthony O’Halloran will lead the Dacia Sandero Cup entrants. Overseas visitors include Martin Donnelly home from New York and Richard Dalton from Australia.
