Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy crews delivered their finest performance of the season on Rally Finland's legendary high-speed gravel stages, with Eamonn Kelly and Conor Mohan securing a landmark Junior WRC victory while Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy achieved their joint-best World Rally Championship result.

Kelly and Mohan transformed their season with a commanding 8.3-second victory over Junior WRC leader Taylor Gill, marking their second career win and first of 2025.

The Donegal driver’s dream weekend started promisingly with a Wolf Stage Win point on Finland's third Saarikas test, immediately propelling them into contention.

The Ford Fiesta Rally3 duo engaged in a fierce Friday battle with Ali Turkkan and Mille Johansson for second place. Consistent stage times throughout the day secured a narrow 1.1-second advantage over third-placed Turkkan.

Kelly strengthened his grip on second position over Saturday morning’s damp stages, finishing 16.8 seconds behind leader Taylor Gill. However, Kelly would flip the script on Saturday afternoon, when another stage win aided his charge to a 20.7-second lead heading into Sunday's finale.

Two controlled drives through Finland's iconic Ouninpohja stage ensured Kelly and Mohan maintained their advantage to claim victory by 8.3 seconds over Gill. The result moves them into fourth in the Junior WRC standings, just five points off third place, and keeps title hopes alive ahead of the Central European Rally's double-points finale.

“To win in Finland, of all places, feels absolutely amazing,” Kelly reflected. “It is an amazing rally and holds centre-stage in the WRC calendar. It feels surreal to be honest.

“We loved every second of Rally Finland, right from stage one. You have to attack these fast and flowing stages; if you have one bad line or have too cautious a pacenote, that is all it takes to miss out on a stage win. The margins were so tight all weekend, but it was proper racing, and that is the buzz of rallying.

“It was nice to have experience of Rally Finland, I think that helped us have a clean rally and have competitive speed throughout. We were able to consistently punch in fast times.

“We really went for it on the second pass of the Paijala stage. I have never driven as well through a stage in my life and it just so happened that some of the other guys dropped time on the stage. That gave us a 20-second lead heading into Sunday’s two passes of Ouninpojha.

“We kept a calm and cool head, we had to keep up a good speed, but tried to avoid taking any chances. Thankfully, we managed to get the job done, which we felt confident in doing.

“I have so many people to thank: everyone on my team and all the people who came out to support us.

“It was an amazing weekend, a dream come true, especially after a tough season so far, but you just have to keep believing in yourself. It is nice to be rewarded with a result like that.”

Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy delivered a mature performance on Finland's demanding high-speed stages to secure seventh overall, equalling their best-ever WRC result while finishing as the leading M-Sport crew.

The Rally1 rookies showcased remarkable progression on the unique Finnish stages, building commitment and maintaining rhythm to secure another top-ten finish.

“It has been a crazy rally – honestly, it has been one of the most enjoyable so far this season, and this one felt exceptional,” said McErlean.

“Coming to Finland in a Rally1 car was always going to be something special, and to experience these conditions and these stages, especially Ouninpohja today, has been really nice. Finishing as the top M-Sport car and seventh overall is a great way to end the experience.

“From the very start, I felt comfortable in the car and we just tried to build that pace with every stage. We didn’t take any big risks, but we trusted the notes, stayed committed, and the rhythm came to us. I have to thank Eoin [Treacy] for everything. We’re learning all the time, and this weekend showed just how far we’ve come.

“This whole year is about progression. Estonia gave us momentum, and we’ve built on that again here in Finland. These stages are a real test of commitment and understanding the car at very high speeds, and to come away with another top-ten and lead the team home is a huge confidence boost.

“I’m really looking forward now to a short break before heading to South America. A big thanks to the team and the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy for everything they do, let’s get ready for the next one.”

MI Rally Academy founder John Coyne had been enjoying his Ford Fiesta Rally3 debut alongside Killian McArdle, who was making his WRC debut. The duo successfully completed Thursday’s super-special and Friday’s eight undulating stages.

Unfortunately, Coyne was forced to retire on Saturday’s second test after a 9G off left him with a lumbar vertebrae compression fracture. The 75-year-old was able to return to his “day job” mentoring and encouraging McErlean, Treacy, Kelly, and Mohan to their fantastic set of results for the academy. We wish you a speedy recovery, John!

County Tyrone co-driver Aaron Johnston experienced the highs of Rally Finland alongside Takamoto Katsuta, with the Toyota duo climbing from fourth to second through Saturday's stages. Their runner-up finish on the Power Stage secured second overall, just 5.9 seconds clear of third-placed Sebastien Ogier, matching their Rally Sweden result from earlier in the year and moving them up to sixth in the championship standings.