Locals heros Manus Kelly, from Glenswilly, and Donall Barrett, from Milford in a Subaru Impreza S21 took the honours in the Joule Donegal International Rally in an eventful contest that went right down to the wire over the famous Donegal stages.

The popular pairing left it late though. They went into the final stage 9.3 seconds behind Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin but after an unbelievable run through Fanad Head, Kelly used his local knowledge to complete the stage 9.8 seconds faster than the Corkman and by doing so claim the top prize by.5 of a second.

It doesn't get much closer than that and after a gruelling event, there was great joy in Letterkenny as Kelly won his first Donegal and first ever international rally. With no less than six leaders over the course of the rally and the winning margin of just 0.5 seconds meant that it was the most exciting and unpredictable event in years.

Sam Moffett finished third with his brother Josh in fourth followed in fifth by Stephen Wright.

David Bogey (Escort Mark II) who lifted the National Rally category had 21 second to spare over Frank Kelly in second place while the junior section was won by Michael Boyle in a Honda Civic.

In the Historic event, Seamus O’Connell in a Ford Escort Mark II won from Frank Cunningham who was 2.9 seconds back in second.
The results also show that the race for the Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Championship is very close too. Alastair Fisher and Sam Moffett are both on  54 points with Keith Cronin in third with 49.5, Just 1.5 points behind in fifth, Josh Moffett and Stephen Wright are now on 48 points.
The next round is the Ulster Rally on the weekend of August 19 and 20.