Triton Showers Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship title chase resumes in Cavan
Photo: Circuit of Kerry Rally winners Eddie Doherty and Tom Murphy. Photo by Sean Moriarty.
After a near two-month hiatus, the 2025 Triton Showers Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship roars back into action this weekend with the Hotel Kilmore Cavan Stages Rally.
The third round of the championship has attracted a capacity entry and a few changes to make the event even more attractive to fans and drivers alike.
Clerk of the Course Gerard Hyland and his team have been working hard to deliver a top-class event, and this year promises some exciting changes alongside the familiar features. The County Cavan Motor Club, along with the Hotel Kilmore and associate sponsors Finish Line Abcon, Fire Protection Ireland, Wilton Recycling, and Crosserlough Construction, have put in a massive effort to bring this event to fruition.
“The Hotel Kilmore has almost become synonymous with the Cavan Stages, having had a long and successful partnership for many years, both work so well together to not only run a fantastic event but also to showcase to not only rally fans but visiting tourists, rally teams and potential new client bases, the high standard of hospitality shown throughout every inch of the Hotel Kilmore is exemplar,” said the clerk of the course.
A strong field of Rally2 cars will compete for top honours.
Reigning 2023 Cavan Stages winners, Josh Moffett from Co. Monaghan with co-driver Keith Moriarty from Co. Limerick, are back to defend their title. Aiming to get their bid for a fifth National title back on track, they will drive either their Hyundai i20 R5 or Citroen C3 R2, hoping to recover from their Circuit of Kerry non-finish after taking maximum Longford points.
Looking to challenge them are Eddie Doherty (Co. Kilkenny) and Tom Murphy (Co. Limerick) in their Skoda Fabia. Following their first National level-victory in the Circuit of Kerry, they'll be keen to continue that form in Cavan. Another former winner of this event, Sam Moffett, Josh’s brother, with Co. Kerry's Shane Buckley on the notes, will be piloting his newer Hyundai i20 Rally 2, aiming to improve on their third place in Tralee.
Also targeting a strong result are Dubliner Rob Barrable, with Co. Tyrone co-driver Gordon Noble in their Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, having finished second in the previous round. Making a comeback in his new Ford Fiesta is Garry Jennings from Co. Fermanagh, with his co-driver yet to be announced. After recent wins on the Tour of the Sperrins and the Manx National Rally, his performance against National Championship regulars will be one to watch.
In their Hyundai Rally 2 are fellow contenders Cathan McCourt (Co. Tyrone) and Barry McNulty (Co. Fermanagh). Hoping for a change of fortune after a mixed run are Desi Henry (Derry) and Niall Burns (Co. Donegal) in their Citroen C3 Rally 2. Competing in their VW Polo are David Kelly (Co. Donegal) and Arthur Kierans (Co. Monaghan).
A past winner in Cavan, Declan Boyle (Co. Donegal), navigated by Patrick Walsh (Wales) in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, will also be a significant presence. Completing the top ten in their Ford Fiesta are local crew Gary Kiernan and John McCabe, with Kiernan hoping to become the first Cavan driver to win his home event.
In the Modified category, Kevin Gallagher and Ryan Moore (both Co. Donegal) are top seeds in their Darrian T90 GTR. Barry Morris (Co. Tyrone) and Dylan Doonan (Co. Cork) will field another Darrian. Local drivers Chris Armstrong (Ford Escort) and Aaron McIntyre (Toyota Starlet RWD), along with Donegal's Daniel McKenna (Ford Escort Mk2), are also expected to be frontrunners.
New for this year's event is a ceremonial start in Market Square, Cavan Town, on Saturday evening from 6:00 pm. Parking for this event is available in the Library Car Park on Farnham Street or the Tesco Car Park off Main Street. There is also a new service park location. Details on the service park and stage locations can be found in the official programme, available for local purchase.