Back-to-Back Wins
By Alan Gunn
DESSIE Keenan along with co-driver Enda Sherry made it a back-to-back win as they crossed the finish line of the 2008 Hillgrove Hotel Stages Rally.
The young Monaghan team, who won the rally overall for the first time last year managed to repeat their win despite getting a puncture on the last stage.
“Once we got the puncture I couldn’t believe it” said a relieved Dessie Keenan at the finish.
“If Niall [Maguire] had of caught us we knew that was the minute gone and the victory gone. We were lucky he never caught us.”
This was only the crews second time out in a WRC car, Dessie showed committed driving throughout the day as he held off his nearest rivals, setting a blistering pace. Weather conditions on the day were not particularly favourable, with overcast skies and rain that left road conditions unpredictable and slippy for drivers. 141 cars crossed the start ramp at the Hillgrove Hotel with 95 finishing.
It was Keenan and Sherry who set the pace by setting fastest stage time on the opening three stages in their McKinstry Hired S9 Subaru. At the end of the first stage they were 8 seconds ahead of Niall Maguire and Paul McLaughlin and extended that lead to 38 seconds when they arrived at service.
“We really put on a big charge on the third stage and went 21 seconds quicker then anybody so that helped us” stated Dessie.
An overshoot by Niall Maguire at a junction on stage 3 cost him 15 seconds. The rain continued for the second loop of stages and again it was Keenan and Sherry who dominated in the slippery conditions increasing their lead to 58 seconds.
As the weather improved in the afternoon the roads dried out, providing increased grip and improved conditions for drivers on the last loop around the stages. On the final stage Keenan got caught out on a left turn and clipped a rock that had surfaced, puncturing the tyre. With no choice but to continue driving, the pair made it through to the end of the stage.
Due to the lead they had built up throughout the day, they managed to hold on to the top spot and claimed their second overall victory in the Monaghan Stages Rally. Runner-up Niall Maguire also sustained a puncture on the last stage but managed to fend off Patrick Elliot by only one second to secure maximum Dunlop National Championship points. This now leaves Niall Maguire leading the Championship by two points.
