Crowds flock to Longford for top class festival of motorsport

A festival of motorsport was held in Longford over the weekend which started off on Saturday evening and an autograph signing with Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy.

Josh and Eoin, who are competing in the World rally championship, were a huge attraction for all the many young rally fans that attended rally HQ in the Longford Arms. This was followed soon afterwards with a ceremonial start when rally fans got a close up of their favourite competitors.

The action started in earnest on Sunday morning when the cars left St Mel’s College car park and took to the stages around Co Longford.
After the first loop of stages many drivers reported very slippery conditions but overall the stages were drying out.
Josh McErlean who was running first on the road took an early lead if only by the narrowest of margins to Matt Edwards from Wales in a Hyundai R2. Josh Moffett and overall, Keith Moriarty were lying in 3rd place with local favourite Shane Quinn who was competing for the first time in a Fiesta R2 with Stephen Reynolds calling the notes.

Unfortunately this was the last stage Shane would see as he did not make it to stage 4 due to engine problems. Another local Tommy Doyle who was competing a Hyundai R2 suffered a similar fate following a promising start in his local rally.
As the roads cleared of surface debris from the early runs through the stages it was clear there the outcome would go right down to the wire with Josh McErlean and Matt Edwards swapping the lead from stage 7, 8 & 9 when Matt had a .03 second lead going into the final stage, but Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy did enough on the final stage to regain the lead the take the win by .05 second.

Midland motor club member Paul Rowley who travelled from the USA to compete in his home event was delighted with his run finishing in 26th position overall.
Other Midland crews that finished well were Keelan Grogan from Carrick on Shannon who ended the day in 40th place and 2nd in class.
Stephen Faughnan from Longford with Patrick Brides on the notes were happy with their 2nd place finish in class 13 in a Mk 2 Escort. Colin Flanagan from Boyle, Roscommon finished 3rd in class in his Evo 9 while Enda & Liam McCormack who travelled from the USA to compete had a good run in their Fiesta R2.

Ronan Quinn and Kevin Heffernan from Moydow had a consistent run all day in their Mk 2 Escort while Mick McCormack and Sean McCaffrey from Co Roscommon finished 3rd in class in their Focus. Declan and Shane Hagan from Drumlish had a fine run and won class 10 in their Escort. Sean Og Cahill & Liam Hughes moved to a Twincam for the rally while Stephen & Niall Healy also in a Corolla finished one place behind.

Enda Gerety and Eoin Kenny finished in their Honda Civic while Eamon & Sean Brady finished in a Civic. Brother & sister duo Darragh & Marie Kelly from Roscommon had a good run in their Civic. Amy Faughnan and Jane Collins who were out for the first time won the ladies award after an eventful rally. Bobby Cooper and Elaine Ni She had car problems from stage 4 but managed to finish the event.
https://www.longfordleader.ie/news/national-news/1747690/latest-garda-speed-safety-camera-goes-live-on-busy-road.html

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