Manus Kelly and Donall Barrett celebrate last year’s Donegal Rally win.
By Jack Murray
The pairing of Manus Kelly and Donall Barrett couldn’t have clinched the Donegal International Rally title in more dramatic fashion last year.
They had entered the final stage trailing Keith Cronin – the 2009 British Rally Championship winner – by almost ten seconds.
Kelly dug deep though and an incredible run through Fanad Head was significantly better than that of the Cork man. So, it was the Glenswilly man who was able to lift the Jim Kennedy Memorial Cup for the first time after winning the championship by just 0.5 seconds. It couldn’t have been closer.
Kelly is now back once again and he is hoping to defend that title and secure back to back wins in the premier weekend of rallying in Ireland.
Speaking to the Donegal News about his preparation, Kelly said he is feeling good: “We’ve prepared well over the last number of weeks and months.
“I’m looking forward to the event. The team’s all in good form. We’ve put in a lot work. We just want to go out now and follow the game plan. If we do that then we should be competitive. We’ll be in with a chance.”
FOR FULL PREVIEW OF THE RALLY, DON’T MISS TOMORROW’S DONEGAL NEWS
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