Devine and O’Sullivan seeded first as Donegal International Rally is launched

Callum Devine and Noel O’Sullivan, last year’s winners of the Donegal International Rally, have been seeded at number one in this year’s tournament, which takes place next month between June 21 and June 23. 

This year, which marks the 50th annual Donegal Rally, will see over 230 crews registered for the rally, setting a new record. The stages will feature several changes to enhance the competition. 

It’s been a great time for Derry’s Devine and his Killarney co-driver O’Sullivan after they made District Motor Club history earlier this month by becoming the first club member to win the Rally of the Lakes three times in succession. 

In their VW Polo, the duo finished seven seconds ahead of Matt Edwards and David Moynihan in their Ford Fiesta at the start of the month. 

At the Donegal Rally last June, the pair floated to a 55.5-second winning cushion after crashing out on the final day in 2022. 

Seeded second are Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin in a Ford Fiesta while the third seeds, in another Ford Fiesta are Welshman Matt Edwards and David Moynihan. 

There are a host of other Donegal drivers within the top 20 list, including David Kelly seeded seventh, Declan Boyle at nine, Michael Boyle at 12, Aidan Wray at 17, Joseph McGonigle at 18, Aaron McLaughlin at 19, and Stuart Darcy at 20. 

The three-day event, which marks the fifth round of the Irish Tarmac Championship, boasts an impressive lineup of participants.  

Friday will see the rally return to the stunning Mamore Gap in Inishowen, bringing rallying back to the peninsula after more than 10 years. 

The action continues over the weekend with fourteen stages on Saturday and Sunday, including reconfigurations of some classic routes. 

However, before the launch on Thursday at Diver’s Hyundai in Letterkenny, a special ceremony took place in Ballymacool Park when a specially commissioned engraved granite seat was unveiled to pay tribute to members of Donegal Motor Club, past, present and future.