MK Rallying Night Out
All welcome for what’ll be a top night like and share a message from Mk Rallying Donegal Winners 2016-2017
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In the Hot Seat With Paddy (Wack) Croke
Name:
Patrick croke
Date of birth
21/6/1987
Lives
Old luffany carrageen Co Kilkenny
Occupation?
Customer care adviser at RigneyDolphin
Road car?
2017 Ds DS3
Motorclub?
Carrick on suir motorclub
Favourite Event of this year and why?
The Ravens rock will for ever be my favourite rally this year I got to sit beside a feature world campion and also my best friend and that’s Irelands very own Craig Breen
When was your first even?
My first event was the sepam stonethrowers back in 2010 with my dad in our ex Carlos sainz rs500 cosworth which we finished up 2nd in class.
When you’re not rallying what do you do for fun?
I like to keep myself fit and go to the gym three times a week, as you can see my friends are a big part of my life so we get up to all sorts of stuff our main hobby at the minute is boating which a good friend of mine has his own boat so we are off out on that whenever the weather is good.
Favourite food?
Good question I like all kind of food really my favourite would be Italian as a treat but Monday to Friday I keep the food good.
Do you have any frustrating memories in rallying?
Haha god yes I think me and Craig will agree on this one, the first stage of the rock we were all geared up and ready to go Craig turns around to me and says rite wack you count me down so I says back no problem lad so 54321 comes paddy is on one mean while Craig says Jesus paddy we have 3 seconds to go the laughing it was funny.
What is your favourite rally car?
My all-time favourite car would have to be the ford mk 2 escort the one that David Sutton built all them years ago for Ari Vatenan there is no better car, or dow I love the latest WRC cars and id love a modified escort of my own.
What’s your plan for 2017
I am in talks with a company in Scotland who have set up a race car for people with mild disability’s like myself to try and get in to motorsport, so I have been asked to go to the uk and drive an Audi TT racing car which is fully adapted. I’m also in the middle of going about building my own rally car which is looking to be a Citroen C2 which I hope to start the build maybe after Christmas in time for the raven’s rock 2018,
Would you like to thank?
I would like to thank my mum and dad and two brothers Sean and Seamus without them I wouldn’t be where I am today also a big thanks to my friends who play a big part in my life like I have said there just a great bunch lads and sometimes the on lookers on the Facebook say these boys are mental we aren’t we just don’t let life get in the way really. Have to say a massive thank you to Craig Breen, I struck up a friendship with this guy through another friend of ours aka bobo as we know him as it started off I think around the time Craig was testing for the circuit of Ireland with the 208 R5 in the hills of mullinavat which is located near our home town it was a great weekend which Craig and Scott went on to win the circuit that year and the year after. When I got the phone call back in June to say paddy would you sit with me in the rock in a modified escort it was a no brainer but to say yes and what a day we had form the start rite to the last KM on the last stage were we went to take 3rd over all it was a dream come through for me. A big thanks to all the rally family on Facebook who sent lovely text and comments after the event it just amazing it’s not the end for me and Craig we will be back next year please god with part 2 of the journey till then thanks once again
Regards
WACK
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The country roads of Monaghan are set to roar this weekend
The country roads of Monaghan are set to roar with the sounds of Rally Cars as the Four Seasons Hotel Monaghan Stages Rally kicks into gear on Sunday next. After eight months of hard work, it’s time for the 2017 Monaghan Stages Rally to take off. Recognised as one of the most popular and competitive events in the Irish Motorsport Calendar, the Monaghan Stages Rally heads to new ground this year. The Four Seasons Hotel takes over as event HQ for the first time since 1995. We thank Frank McKenna & his team for taking us on board. The event is a counting round of the Triton National Rally Championship and Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship.
The event gets under way on Saturday as competitors check their pacenotes and complete mechanical scrutiny at McElvaney’s on the Dublin Road. The first car will leave the Four Seasons Hotel at 10.00am on Sunday Morning en route to the first of nine stages in the Mid-Monaghan area. The opening test is in the Stranooden area followed by stages in the Scotshouse and Smithborough areas before the cars return to Monaghan for service in the Courthouse Car Park. This loop will be repeated twice more before competitors arrive back at the Four Seasons Hotel shortly after 5.00pm where the winners of the 2017 Four Seasons Monaghan Stages Rally will be crowned!
The event has attracted a superb entry of over 120 cars plus juniors, a tremendous achievement given the current challenges facing Irish rallying. The winning of the rally has been a Moffett family affair over the past four years. Josh Moffett has won the previous two events and hopes to complete a rare Monaghan hat-trick which has only been achieved once before. Stephen Thornton joins him for this event. His brother Sam scored wins in 2013 and 2014 and has been runner-up in the last two years. Sam & navigator Karl Atkinson have dominated the 2017 National Rally Championship so far with commanding wins in the Birr and Midland events. The pair should have the edge with their Fiesta WRC over Josh’s R5 model.
At No.3 is double National champion Declan Boyle in another Fiesta WRC. The pair have had mixed results since acquiring the car last year but when on the pace, there are few in the country who can match the Donegal man. Declan last competed in 2013 where he led until caught on slicks in a sudden rain shower causing a spin. He will be determined to stop Sam on his home patch and strengthen his National Championship aspirations.
Defending National Champions Roy White & James O’Brien start at 4 in their Fiesta WRC. The Tipperary man has had a steady start to the year and was 2nd last time out in the Midland rally. Another former National Champion, Donagh Kelly is at 5 with Ballinode’s Conor Foley navigating. This pair have recorded a number of International wins and most recently recorded a fourth straight win on the West Cork Rally. Their 2.0Ltr Ford Focus will be suited to the fast stages.
Seven time winner, Niall Maguire with Enda Sherry navigating start at 6 in their Impreza WRC. This pair have been ever consistent in the National Rally Championship and always put in a good showing on their home event. Peader Hurson & Damien Connolly are at 7 in another Fiesta WRC. Peader won the rally the last time it was held in the Four Seasons in a Metro 6R4. Now with a modern WRC car, Peader will be aiming to show his undoubted talent over the Monaghan Stages.
Stephen Wright & Arthur Kierans take a break from their Tarmac Championship campaign to start at 8 in their Fiesta R5. The Aghabog pair will be aiming to impress over their home stages. Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC) and Brendan Cumiskey (Skoda Fabia) complete the top ten seeds.
The modified entry is spectacular with some of the top drivers in Ireland set to compete. Jonathan Pringle was the top modified last year and is out to defend his crown. He has recruited local man Paul Sheridan into the hot seat for this weekend. Paul’s regular driver Gary McPhillips has Donegal’s James McNulty joining him this weekend. Gary will be giving it his all as ever to be the top Escort finisher. Gary Kiernan is usually in the running for the Modified win and should be right in the thick of the battle. Brian Brogan. Adrian Hetherington, Damien Toner and Damien Gallagher are just some of the other names that will be gunning for honours.
David Guest, Shane Maguire, Aiden Wray, Neil Tohill and Paul Barrett will all be set to fight for Group N honours. Local hotshot Jonathan Treanor should be the man to beat in the Junior Category in his rapid Civic. The juniors compete on six of the nine stages.
Safety Message
Clerk of the Course Thomas Treanor has made a special appeal to all concerned to think safety at all times. The Event Safety Plan has been compiled meticulously. Marshals, Stage Commanders and Officials have been trained accordingly. What is required is that spectators play their part to ensure the safe running of the event. All are asked to ‘keep the race in its place’ and drive with care to and from the stages. Take time to read the Spectator Safety notice in the rally programme, which provides a guide to safer spectating. Safety is everybody’s business and there is one common ingredient that is essential: common sense. Spectators are asked to please follow the instructions of the marshals and officials, who are working for your safety. Please also respect private property where you assemble and bring your litter home.
Monaghan Motor Club wishes all competitors and spectators a safe and enjoyable rally.
Seeded Entry List
Posted: April 18, 2017 8:16 AM
1 Josh Moffett/Stephen Thornton (Ford Fiesta R5) [5] 2 Sam Moffett/Karl Atkinson (Ford Fiesta WRC) [7] 3 Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Ford Fiesta WRC) [7] 4 Roy White/James O’Brien (Ford Fiesta WRC) [7] 5 Donagh Kelly/Conor Foley (Ford Focus WRC) [7] 6 Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru Impreza WRC S12B) [7] 7 Peadar Hurson/Damien Connolly (Ford Fiesta WRC) [7] 8 Stephen Wright/Arthur Kierans (Ford Fiesta R5) [5] 9 Kevin Barrett/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC S14) [7] 10 Brendan Comiskey/Ronan O’Kane (Skoda Fabia R5) [5] 11 Gary McPhillips/James McNulty (Ford Escort MkII) [14] 12 Jonathan Pringle/Paul Sheridan (Ford Escort MkII) [14] 14 Gary Kiernan/Ryan Moore (Ford Escort MkII) [14] 15 Brian Brogan/Damien McGettigan (Ford Escort MkII) [14] 16 Adrian Hetherington/Ronan O’Neill (Ford Escort MkII) [14] 17 Damien Toner/Denver Rafferty (Ford Escort MkII) [14] 18 Damien Gallagher/Mac Walsh (Ford Escort MkII) [14] 19 David Moffett/Martin Connolly (Toyota Starlet) [13] 20 Conor Curley/Paul Hone (Ford Escort MkII) [13] 21 Cormac Phelan/Katja Auhl (Honda Civic) [13] 22 Vivian Hamill/Andrew Grennan (Ford Escort MkII) [14] 23 John Stone/Danny McMenamin (Ford Fiesta S2500) [20] 24 Paul Rowley/Colin Fitzgerald (Citroen DS3 R5) [5] 25 Michael Carbin/Conor Mohan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4) [20] 26 David Guest/Paddy Robinson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4] 27 Shane Maguire/Darragh Kelly (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4] 28 Aidan Wray/Kieran McGrath (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10) [4] 29 Neil Tohill/Gerard Tohill (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4] 30 Paul Barrett/Declan Tumilty (Subaru Impreza N14) [4] 31 Maurice Moffett/Jason McKenna (Toyota Starlet) [14] 32 Michael Conlon/Ciaran McPhillips (Ford Escort MkII) [13] 33 Barry Morris/Declan Cambpell (Ford Escort) [13] 34 John Bonner/Rory Kennedy (Ford Escort) [14] 35 Jim McKenna/Damien McKenna (Ford Escort MkII) [14] 36 Raymond Conlon/Darren McCague (Ford Escort) [14] 37 David Armstrong/Paul Mulholland (Ford Escort MkII) [14] 38 Lee Hastings/Alistair Wyllie (Subaru Impreza WRX) [20] 39 Niall Henry/Aaron Johnston (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10) [20] 40 Daniel Conaghan/Terence Magee (Ford Escort MkII) [13] 41 Johno Doogan/Ciaran Marron (Ford Escort) [13] 42 Tommy O’Connell/Emmet Sherry (Ford Escort MkII) [13] 43 Colin O’Rourke/Martin Byrne (Ford Escort) [14] 44 Stephen Reynolds/Emmet Brosnan (Ford Escort) [13] 45 Mark Wedlock/Lois Branyan (Ford Escort MkII) [13] 46 Marty Toner/Sharon Clarke (Talbot Sunbeam) [12] 47 Seamus Connolly/Gary McCrudden (Toyota Corolla) [11R] 48 Leonard Craig/Conal McNulty (Toyota Starlet) [11R] 49 Anthony Hand/Peter Deery (Ford Escort MkII) [11R] 50 Johnny Jordan/Gary McNern (Toyota Starlet) [11R] 51 James McCarville/Paddy McCrudden (Ford Escort) [11R] 52 Declan Hall/Chris Corr (Toyota Corolla) [11R] 53 Gary Cassidy/Paul Kelly (Honda Civic) [13] 54 Brian Armstrong/James Logue (Ford Escort MkII) [12] 55 Gene McDonald/Emmet Kelly (Ford Escort MkII) [11R] 56 Richard Harney/Brian Harney (Ford Escort) [11R] 57 Martin McPhillips/Ciaran Tynan (Toyota Corolla) [11R] 58 Shane Cullen/Connor O’Loan (Ford Escort MkII) [13] 59 Declan McCrory/Graham Henderson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10) [20] 60 Kevin McBride/Mark Donnelly (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [] 61 Paul McCann/Paddy Plunkett (Skoda Fabia S2500) [20] 62 Colin Quirk/Will Brown (Ford Fiesta Evo) [20] 63 Jason Roche/Kaine Treanor (Ford Escort MkII) [13] 64 Alan Atcheson/Thomas Wedlock (Ford Escort MkII) [12] 65 Vincent Collins/Fintan Kilroe (Ford Escort) [12] 66 Sam Johnston/Colin Duffy (Honda Civic) [11F] 67 Donal Kelly/Shane Byrne (Honda Civic) [11F] 68 Jason Tuthill/Ben Teggart (Ford Escort) [11R] 69 Shane Cassidy/Calum Maguire (Honda Civic) [11F] 70 Martin Tynan/Declan Tynan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo ) [15] 71 Barry McLaughlin/Aodhan Gallagher (Ford Escort) [14] 72 William Armstrong/Philip Armstrong (Ford Escort) [12] 73 Gerard McGivney/Ciaran McGorman (Ford Escort) [13] 74 Quentin Park/TBA Newtownhamilton (Ford Escort) [12] 75 Darrel Quinn/Michael Laverty (Ford Escort) [12] 76 Ashley Dixon/Ryan McCloskey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4] 77 Paddy O’reilly/David Fitzsimons (Ford Escort) [14] 78 Christopher Brennan/Martin Hughes (Honda Civic) [11F] 79 Davd Smyth/Carmel Tuite (Toyota Corolla) [11R] 80 Cian Curley/Emmet McCooey (Toyota Corolla) [11R] 81 Stephen Peoples/Kieran Burke (Ford Escort) [11R] 82 David Hardie/TBA (Skoda Fabia) [] 83 Bryan Jardine/Declan McKenna (Ford Escort) [12] 84 Colin Currid/Paul Gallagher (Ford Escort) [12] 85 John Kelly/Niall Kelly (Toyota Corolla) [10] 86 Mickey Brennan/Ryan Brennan (Vauxhall Nova) [10] 87 Shane Carr/Ciaran Carr (Vauxhall Nova) [10] 88 Cahal Sheridan/Shane Farrell (Vauxhall Nova) [10] 89 David Kelly/James Conwell (Citroen C2) [2] 90 Roy Baldrick/Dermot Friel (Talbot Sunbeam) [13] 91 Donal Crossan/Paul Lennon (Ford Escort) [13] 92 Andrew McTaggart/Shane McTaggart (Toyota Corolla) [11R] 93 Sean McCaul/Frank Clerkin (Ford Escort) [11R] 94 Damien Treanor/David Treanor (Ford Escort) [11R] 95 Christopher McLaughlin/Barry McBride (Toyota Starlet) [11R] 96 Aaron McIntyre/Ben McIntyre (Toyota Starlet) [11R] 97 Shane Murray/TBA (Ford Escort) [13] 98 Michael McDaid/TBA Newtownbutler (Ford Escort) [12] 99 Sean Heraghty/TBA Ramelton (Toyota Corolla) [11R] 100 Roger Kennedy/Wendy Blackledge (Peugeot 306) [3] 101 Packie Duffy/Evin Hughes (Honda Civic) [3] 102 Gerard Corey/Kevin Treanor (Ford Escort) [12] 103 Martin McGuigan/Sam Clarke (Talbot Sunbeam) [10] 104 Mark Deery/Nigel brennan (Vauxhall Nova) [10] 105 Neil Somerville/Raymond Knox (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [20] 106 Conor Hagan/Darren McCaffrey (Honda Civic) [11F] 107 Wayne Feely/Peter Farrell (Ford Fiesta) [11R] 108 Brendan Keenan/Sean Lynch (Ford Escort) [11R] 109 Kevin Hannigan/Dermot McGroary (Ford Escort) [11R] 110 Patrick Connolly/Paul McGuire (Subaru Impreza WRX) [15] 111 Pauric McGinley/Gareth Kelly (Citroen C2) [11F] 112 Philip Hamilton/Damian Kelly (Citroen C2) [11F] 113 Ciaran Phelan/Aine Phelan (Honda Civic) [11F] 114 Fergal Keane/Mairead Dunne (Honda Civic) [11F] 115 Damien Cullen/Danny Cannon (Honda Civic) [11F] 116 Michael Black/Gerard Callaghan (Honda Civic) [11F] 117 Nick Barnett/Martin Brady (Honda Civic) [3] 118 Stephen Reynolds/Derek McCarthy (Honda Civic) [1] 119 Shaun O’Donnell/Michael Hamilton (Honda Civic) [1] 120 Martin Geraghty/Conal Doherty (Honda Civic) [1] 121 Andrew Kearney/Owen O’Neill (Ford Fiesta R2) [2] 122 Colette Rooney/Sinead McCafferty (Honda Civic) [11F] 123 Ronan Denning/Karl Egan (Peugeot 106) [2] 124 Joe Moffitt/Eddie Moffitt (Honda Civic) [1]
125 Malcolm Pedlow/Ivor Ferguson (BMW 2002tii) [18]
J1 Johnny Treanor/Adrian Foley (Honda Civic) [16] J2 Michael Boyle/Dermot McCafferty (Honda Civic) [16] J3 Jason Black/Jack McKenna (Toyota Starlet) [16] J4 Tom Holton/Ryan Diver (Honda Civic) [16] J5 Brian Brady/Leonard Tuite (Honda Civic) [16] J6 Niall McGaughran/Stephen Cooke (Honda Civic) [16] J7 Keith Jacob/Michael Carr (Honda Civic) [16] J8 Gary Byrne/Shane O’Donnell (Honda Civic) [16] J9 Jonathan Armstrong/Philip Mitchell (Vauxhall Nova) [16]
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Manus to join rallyinterviews team
Manus Kelly on a charge after his off on Saturday morning. Photo Brian McDaid
Rallyinterviews are glad to announce that we will be supporting Manus Kelly and Gareth Doherty in their 2017 bid for the Triton Shower’s National Rally Championship Sean Lambert from rallyinterviews commented that this is a great thing for rallyinterviews going forward and is delighted to be in a position to help Manus and Gareth in the 2017 Trition Shower’s National Rally Championship pointing out that only good things can come from this. Keep up with the action from the stages with rallyinterviews this weekend at Round 2 of the Triton Shower’s National Rally Championship in Longford.
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MOFFETT HEADS TRITON SHOWERS CONTINGENT IN LONGFORD
The Triton Showers National Rally Championship zooms in on Longford this Sunday for the Midland Moto Rally. The nine-stage event in association with The Longford Arms Hotel, A Plus Skip Hire & Admore Air Conditioning Corp has just over 100 entries for what is the second round of the national series.
Opening round winner in Nenagh, Sam Moffett is the top seed in his Ford Fiesta WRC. The Monaghan driver is certainly a real threat to the more established stars of the national series and has the ability to win the prestigious Vard Memorial Trophy. On the last round, Moffett – a former winner of the Billy Coleman award – led from the start and finished almost a minute ahead of the Fiesta WRC of former double national champion Donegal driver Declan Boyle.
The terrain around Longford will certainly provide a tough challenge for all concerned with the organising Midland Motor Club under the baton of clerk of the course Sean Cahill, who has laid out a very demanding route of three stages that will be repeated three times.
Boyle, who won back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014, is hoping to be ultra competitive on Sunday, however, it will be a tough task especially with Moffett in such good form.
Winner of last week?s West Cork Rally in Clonakilty and the 2015 Triton Showers champion Donegal?s Donagh Kelly (Ford Focus WRC) will also have designs on outright victory and his battle with Moffett and Boyle should be intense.
Reigning champion Clonmel?s Roy White (Ford Fiesta WRC) is still searching for his inaugural win in the series and that will continue to be a difficult task given the quality of the entry.
The rally will also mark the first outing of the season for Donegal?s Manus Kelly, who will campaign a Subaru WRC. Last year he made a stunning debut in a Subaru World Car winning the Carlow round of the Triton series, however on Sunday he may take time to acclimatise to the pace. Tyrone?s Mark Donnelly (Ford Fiesta WRC) is in his debut Triton season and will be aiming to improve on his fifth place finish in Nenagh.
Former triple champion Monaghan?s Niall Maguire (Subaru WRC) occupies the number seven berth in Longford in a top ten that also features Australian based Pauric Duffy (Ford Fiesta R5), Tyrone?s Adrian Hetherington and Meath?s Pat Donegan, both in Ford Escorts.
The top local driver is Keenagh?s Tommy Doyle, who will campaign a Mk. 2 Ford Escort, how he compares with the likes of Hetherington and Donegan will be watched with interest. Maynooth?s Ian Barrett in his nimble Darrian T90 is also competing in the two-wheel drive category. Other entries are Blackburn driver John Stone in a Ford Fiesta, Kerry?s Ed Murphy (Escort) and Donegal?s Martin Doherty also in a Ford Escort.
In Group N, Cork?s David Guest (Mitsubishi) took maximum points in Nenagh and in Longford he will renew rivalry Monaghan?s Shane Maguire in a similar car, Maynooth?s Paul Barrett (Subaru) and Dubliner Neil Tohill (Mitsubishi) as they chase top spot in the Motorsport Safety category of the Triton Showers series. Carrick on Shannon?s Sean Gallagher (Mitsubishi EvoIX) is also in the Group N frame. Meanwhile, the entry also features Meath?s Paul McCann (Skoda Fabia), Scottish ace Lee Hastings (Subaru) and Roscommon?s Cormac Phelan (Honda Civic).
In the Junior category, Donegal?s Michael Boyle (Honda Civic) is the leading entry. Reigning champion Gary McNamee (Honda Civic) will provide strong opposition that also includes Monaghan?s Jonny Treanor, Cavan?s John McCabe along with Kerry pair Mark Murphy and Kieran O’Donoghue, all in Honda Civics.
Local drivers amongst the entry list include Roscommon?s Colin Flanagan (Mitsubishi), Vincent Collins (Ford Escort) and Longford duo, Sam Johnston (Honda Civic) and Michael Shaw (Mitsubishi). Elsewhere, Carrick on Shannon?s Gavin Gallagher (Mitsubishi), Pauric Sheridan from Prunty in a Ford Fiesta and the Lanesboro pair, Stephen Healy (Toyota Corolla) and Shane Healy (Peugeot 205) will all be aiming to make an impression.
EVENT DETAILS:
Organising Club: Midland Motor Club
Clerk of the Course: Sean Cahill.
Rally Headquarters: Longford Arms Hotel & Spa.
First Car Away: 08. 40
S.S. 1, 4 & 7: Killashee (9.50 km) 9.39, 12.18 & 15.03.
S.S. 2, 5 & 8: Newtowncashel (9.90 km) 10.13, 12.55 & 15.37.
S.S. 3, 6 & 9: Keenagh (18.70 km) 10.48, 13.30 & 16.12.
Service: Mastertech Business Park, Longford. 11.38 & 14.20
Finish Ramp: Longford Arms Hotel & Spa. 16.54
Top 10 Starters:
1. Sam Moffett/Karl Atkinson (Ford Fiesta WRC)
2. Declan Boyle/Brian Boyle (Ford Fiesta WRC)
3. Donagh Kelly/Conor Foley (Ford Focus WRC)
4. Roy White/James O’Brien (Ford Fiesta WRC)
5. Manus Kelly/Gareth Doherty (Subaru WRC)
6. Mark Donnelly/Barry McNulty (Ford Fiesta WRC)
7. Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru WRC)
8. Pauric Duffy/Kevin Glynn (Ford Fiesta R5)
9. Adrian Hetherington/Andrew Grennan (Ford Escort)
10. Pat Donegan/Alan Keena (Ford Escort)
Provisional Championship Positions after Round 1: S. Moffett 20pts; 2. D. Boyle 18 pts; 3. D. Kelly 17pts; 4. R. White 14pts; 5. M. Donnelly 13pts & 6. N. Maguire 12pts.
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