Defending National Rally champions Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes scored their first win of the rallying year.

The Monaghan pair brought their Hyundai i20 R5 to a 28 second victory in Birr Stages rally in Abbeyleix over the similar car of Desi Henry and John Rowan.

Moffett and Hayes set the pace on the opening stage in the Birr and District MC event, and were never headed all day, with their rivals from Northern Ireland equally secure in runner-up position all the way. British visitors Ollie Mellors and Max Freeman were third for Proton, a minute clear of veteran Eugene Donnelly.

Young Rally Driver of the Year Josh McErlean was a contender for much of the event and held fourth position after three of the six stages, but suffered a puncture on the next test and had a problem while changing the wheel, losing too much time to continue.