McKenna takes mighty Monaghan!

3 WRC crews entered the 2012 Monaghan Stages Rally, and they occupied the first 3 slots on the entry list. They were followed by a trio of MK2 Escorts, flying machines in their own right. Leading the MK2 charge was Daniel McKenna, but he had his work cut out to topple the leading WRC Subaru's, lead by local legend Niall Maguire.

Rally Winner
Daniel McKenna

2nd Overall
Sam Moffett

In the end, however, the WRC cars were nowhere to be found. Seamus Leonard was the first to go, out on SS1. Next was WRC newcomer Donagh Kelly. Kelly, who previously sported an ex-Kevin Lynch Ford Focus WRC but is more accustomed to a Group N Mitsubishi, crashed out on SS3. Niall Maguire was the only one left standing, establishing a 1 minute lead by SS7. One minute is nothing when you gearbox goes bang, which Maguire's did, and out he went.

So cue the MK2 Escort's it seemed. Anyone who ever doubted the sheer pace that a well-driven MK2 Escort can achieve have well and truly been schooled. Daniel McKenna and Gary McPhillips stood up and flew.

3rd Overall
Maurice Moffett

McPhillips was caught off guard by McKenna over the opening loop of stages. He dropped 32 secs to the flying McKenna. It was “shoulder to the wheel” time over the next loop, as Gary fought to gain back the lost time, winning all 3 stages. SS6 saw vast amounts of standing water and McKenna nearly lost it all when an overshoot at a hairpin lead to a the Scanbitz MK2's rear end suffering a God-almighty wallop. McPhillips overshot the same hairpin, but to a lesser extent. Both crews left the scene at the same time, with spectators witnessing two MK2 Escorts fighting to the stage end, side by side.

McKenna got his shortened MK2 repaired in service, and the pair were dead level after SS7. That was as good as it got. McKenna passed the red MK2 of McPhillips, suffering from suspension failure. Gary lost over 6 mins with the failure, dropping him to 14^th.

Group N Winner
Shane Maguire
4th Overall

Sam Moffett took second in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, and his Dad, the infamous (and slightly mental) Maurice, took third. Shane Maguire won Group N in his Subaru Impreza, taking a fine fourth overall in the process. Maguire was scrapping with the third Moffett in the rally, Josh, and eventually took a 17 sec win over the Evo driver, who also took fifth. Donegal crew Declan and Brian Boyle took sixth, and Class 14, despite an early puncture in their Limelight-backed MK2.

A big thanks must go to another Declan Boyle, of DBPics, who stepped in to sponsor our Monaghan Stages Rally report, as well as supplying the photos in this report. Declan is an outstanding young photographer, and will be supplying more photos to Global Rally News in the future. Cheers Declan!

Best Donegal Result
Declan Boyle
6th Overall