Doherty & Murphy claim 2025 National Rally title

The Waterford/Limerick pairing of Eddie Doherty and Tom Murphy clinched the 2025 Triton Showers Irish National Rally Championship on the Clare Stages Rally last Sunday, securing the title with a round remaining.

In challenging conditions, Doherty led from the opening test on the Ennis based event in his Skoda Fabia R5. His closest Championship rival, Josh Moffett, needed a strong finish to keep his dream of a fifth National title alive, but Moffett’s hopes were ripped away, along with his rear left wheel, when he ran wide on the last junction of the third stage. Moffett was able to limp his Hyundai i20 R5 out of the stage but retired shortly after. Desi Henry, who was also in contention for the title, left the road on the opening stage.

Doherty repelled an afternoon challenge from Declan Boyle, who closed to within 1.1 seconds at one point, until a puncture saw him drop 20 seconds on stage six. Doherty and Murphy entered the final loop of stages with an almost 30 second margin and put in a measured performance to take their third win of the season by 18.2 seconds, securing a first national title for the pair.

Doherty and Murphy will be formally presented with the Cecil Vard Trophy at the National Championship prizegiving, which will take place on November 15th in Athlone.