Motors: Doherty and Murphy penalised six minutes for late arrival at Raven's Rock Rally

Irish Examiner

06-07-2025

The results of the Waterford based Raven's Rock Rally remain provisional after long-time leaders Kilkenny's Eddie Doherty and his Limerick co-driver John Murphy were penalised six minutes after they arrived late for the start of the seventh stage when their Skoda Fabia R5 developed power steering problems. Doherty has intimated that he will appeal the penalty decision, it appears the stage didn't start as per the schedule.
In the meantime, Monaghan's Josh Moffett and his Limerick co-driver Keith Moriarty (Hyundai i20 R5) top the classification - 14.2s ahead of the Derry/Donegal pairing of Desi Henry/Dean O'Sullivan (Ford Fiesta Rally2) with Donegal's Declan Boyle and co-driver Patrick Walsh (Skoda Fabia Rally2) another 10.5s behind in third. Doherty/Murphy are currently classified thirty-seventh.
In mixed weather conditions Doherty, determined to set the pace, topped the time sheets on all three stages of the opening loop and arrived at the Waterford service park with a 20.5s advantage over the Ford Fiesta Rally2 of Derry's Desi Henry with Sam Moffett (Hyundai i20 N Rally2) third 2.5s further behind in third. Having spun on a gravely section on SS3, championship leader Josh Moffett was down in fourth spot - 26.6s behind, he also struggled with pop-off valve issues.
Just seven crews finished the opening stage after Ballylickey's Daniel Cronin slid his Citroen C3 Rally2 off the road within a short distance of the stage start. Of the seven, Doherty was 1.5s ahead of Josh Moffett. Clonakilty's Cal McCarthy failed to make it to the start of SS1 when his Citroen C3 Rally2 caught fire.
Monaghan's Josh Moffett and his Limerick co-driver Keith Moriarty (Hyundia i20 R5) top the classification for the Raven's Rock Rally in Waterford where the results are currenlty provisional. Pic: Martin Walsh.
Out on SS2, Doherty extended his lead to 2.8s with Desi Henry third some 12.3s further adrift.
On the second loop and while the pop-off issue was intermittent Josh Moffett was quickest on SS4 and SS5 and moved back into second with Doherty holding a 29.6s advantage after SS6. Henry was untroubled in third and reckoned second was still within his reach as he trailed Josh Moffett by seven seconds. The Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 cars of Declan and Michael Boyle followed, the latter admitted he picked a tyre compound that was too hard for the conditions while the former was cautious on the shiny tar on SS6 where the rain made for slippery conditions. Sam Moffett, who lost time with a spin on SS6, rounded out the top six.
There was drama on the way to the final loop as Doherty's Skoda developed a power steering problem. Although he punched in the best time on SS7 where he ran out of sequence, a six minute road penalty demoted him to 36th position - five and half minutes off the lead. Josh Moffett was the new leader but Henry was only 6.3s in arrears, however, Moffett kept his Derry rival at bay on the remaining stages. - a result now depending on the outcome Doherty's appeal.
Meanwhile and struggling with set-up issues and the balance of his M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2 through most of Rally di Roma Capitale, round five of the European Rally Championship, Kesh driver Join Armstrong finished 11th. A difficult time on Saturday's six stages, he was 14th overnight. He was forced to reverse on Sunday's second stage after his Fiesta Rally2 had a half spin at a tight hairpin but then posted the third fastest time on SS10. 'I'm a long way from where I need to be that is for sure." Armstrong and his Donegal co-driver Shane Byrne, who were third on the Power Stage, went on to finish 11th.
The event was won by Giandomenico Basso who held off title contender Andrea Mabellini on the final stage to win by 3.7s. Championship leader Miko Marczyk was edged out by Mabellini on the penultimate stage and had to settle for third, 7.4s off top spot, all three in Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 cars.
Elsewhere, second place on the Loughgall Stages Rally was enough for Aaron McLaughlin/ Darren Curran (VW Polo GTi R5) to seal the Brown & Brown Northern Ireland Rally Championship title while locals Marty Toner/David Wright won their home event for the first time. Toner (Proton Satria Neo) led through the days six stages as McLaughlin was down in 14th place after SS1 with fuel problems. Armagh's Jason Black (Toyota Starlet) took the final spot on the podium.
Raven's Rock Rally (Round 4, Triton Showers National Rally Championship) Waterford: Provisional Results: 1. J. Moffett/K. Moriarty (Hyundai i20 R5) 57m. 56.9s; 2. D. Henry/D. O'Sullivan(Ford Fiesta Rally2)+14.2s; 3. D. Boyle/P. Walsh (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+24.7s; 4. S. Moffett/S. Buckley (Hyundai i20 Rally2)+34.0s; 5. M. Boyle/D. McCafferty (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+38.6s; 6. J. Dickson/M. Brady (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m.00.2s; 7. P. Barrett/D. Kelly (Citroen C3 Rally2)+1m. 08.7s; 8. M. Boyle/G. Byrne (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 30.0s; 9. J. Stafford/R. Cleary (Darrian T90 GTR)+2m. 09.7s; 10.
T. Holton/S. Joyce (Ford Fiesta)+2m. 33.9s.
Loughgall Stages Rally, Loughgall: 1 M. Toner/D. Wright (Proton Satria Neo) 25m. 11.6s; 2. A. McLaughlin/D. Curran (Volkswagen Polo R5)+1.9s; 3. J. Black/K. Egan (Toyota Starlet)+31.6s; 4. C. Wilson/K. McDaid (Hyundai i20)+37.6s; 5. S. Murray/G. Hade (Ford Fiesta)+1m.15.1s; 6. J. Kennedy/H. Kennedy (Ford Escort)+1m. 30.7s.