Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Gerry McMonagle making the presentation at the Civic Reception for Manus Kelly and Donal Barrett double winners of the Donegal International Rally in 2016 and 2017 and won the National Rally in Donegal in 2015. Photo Clive Wasson
TWO of Donegal’s most prominent motor sports heroes Manus Kelly and Donall Barrett were honoured at a Civic Reception in the County House in Lifford yesterday evening.
The pair were honoured in recognition of their achievements in winning the Donegal International Rally in 2016 and 2017 together with the National Rally Championship in 2015.
Manus and Donall were joined by family, friends and colleagues as well as other sporting greats with Cathaoirleach Cllr Gerry McMonagle leading the tributes.
“On behalf of the elected members of Donegal County Council and indeed the management and staff of the Council I am delighted to be in a position to welcome both Manus and Donall to the County House this evening and bestow this honour of a civic reception in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the world of motor sports.”
Manus and Donall have been involved in rallying for many years and had their big breakthrough in 2015 when they won the national rally at the Donegal Rally by 43.9 seconds in a Mk2.
In 2016 they won the Donegal International Rally by just three yards and came back in 2017 to win it again.
Cllr McMonagle described both men as top ambassadors in their sport and acknowledged their support of the Donegal Joint Policing Committee’s campaign to promote safety and respect during the rally.
Chief Executive Seamus Neely also spoke at the event and said that winning the Donegal International Rally not just once but twice means that these sports men are at the sharpest end of their sport in terms of skill, technical capabilities, endurance and determination.
He also acknowledged the organisers of the Donegal International Rally saying that it is the only three day event left on the island and it attracts in the region of 100,000+ spectators to the county each year and is worth approximately €25m to the local economy.
Brian Brogan, Chair of the Donegal Motor Club also spoke at the event and said that having an event such as this was a big step for the club and the sport.
Manus and Donall each paid tribute to their families, their sponsors and to their competitors and to all involved in motor sports in Donegal.
Manus Kelly said “winning the Donegal International Rally is every rally drivers dream and you don’t get it easily”.
He also announced that Donall and himself would be back on the road in the next few weeks competing in Kilarney and that they now have a new sponsor on board, Applegreen Ireland.
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