Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally 2026 Day 3 Update - Final

Josh Moffett & Andy Hayes (Toyota Yaris) took their third West Cork Rally win in five years after a high speed final day that saw them hold off the challenge of Callum Devine / Noel O’Sullivan and Eddie Doherty / Tom Murphy. Heading into the final days six stages, Moffett led by twenty one seconds from Doherty with Devine a further eight seconds further back. Doherty cut the lead slightly on the opening Ballinacarriga stage only for Moffett to respond with a fastest time of his own on Sams Cross. Devine issued a challenge to the leading pair on Ardfield with a stunning time but was still over thirty seconds off the lead at this point. The weather varied from bright sunshine to sudden showers which made tyre choice occasionally difficult for the crews. Shane Quinn was a retirement on the opening loop having gone off the road but made it to the end of the stage where he withdrew.

David Kelly held fourth place with Sam Touzel and Declan Boyle swapping places behind him. The last loop of stage saw Moffett manage his lead well, with Doherty coming under increasing pressure from Devine, the gap just 0.5 seconds with just the second Ardfield test remaining. Moffett kept his cool to win by just 9.9 seconds from Devine who put a monumental push on the last stage to pip Doherty for second place, despite the Kilkenny driver also putting in a time almost fifteen seconds quicker than his previous run over the stage. Doherty had to be content with third place just over fifteen seconds behind the winner. The result throws open the NAPA Autoparts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship after two rounds, with Devine, Moffett and Doherty holding the top three places.

David Kelly was comfortable in fourth place, with Sam Touzel finally getting the better of Declan Boyle towards the end to take fifth place. Cathan McCourt was a late retirement with mechanical issues on the second run over Ballinacarriga. The national category was won impressively by John Dalton & Eurig Davies in their Darrian as well as finishing tenth overall. Frank & Lauren Kelly took second in their Escort with Michael Carbin and Conor Mohan taking third in another Escort. Local crew Jason McSweeney & Dylan Doonan (Ford Escort WRC) were comprehensive winners of the Historic category, Adrian Evans / Jordan Jones (BMW M3) finished second with Ronan Campbell / Denny Greaney (Ford Escort Mk2) in third. The Junior Rally saw Darragh Walsh & Gary Lombard retain their title from 2025. Kyle Browne finished second with James O’Riordan in third place, all the top three were driving a Honda Civic.

Top 6 Overnight

1 – Josh Moffett & Andy Hayes        Toyota Yaris Rally 2               1:57.15.6 2 – Callum Devine & Noel O’Sullivan  Skoda Fabia Rally 2               1:57:25.5 

3 – Eddie Doherty & Tom Murphy       Skoda Fabia Rally 2               1:57:30.8 4 – David Kelly & Shane Buckley         Skoda Fabia Rally 2               1:59:57.1 5 – Sam Touzel & Max Freeman          Ford Fiesta Rally 2                 2:00:55.2 6 – Declan Boyle & Patrick Walsh       Skoda Fabia Rally 2               2:01:04.3

Kevin O’Driscoll Press Officer