The all-new Stellantis Rally Cup Ireland delivered another spectacular chapter on the Carlow Stages Rally [17 May], as rapidly changing weather conditions, dramatic lead battles and a string of retirements created a thrilling second round of the 2026 season.
Based around a compact but demanding format of three stages repeated three times, crews began the event on dry asphalt before heavy rain arrived for the second loop, transforming the rally into a tyre-choice lottery and placing an even greater emphasis on simply staying on the road.
It was Robert Cronin and Paddy Heffernan who immediately stamped their authority on the event aboard their Opel Corsa Rally4. The pair blasted into the lead on the opening stage, stopping the clocks 1.6 seconds quicker than round one winners Oran England and Darragh Mullen, while Jack Byrne and Eurig Davies matched England’s pace exactly to share second fastest.
Cronin continued his impressive early charge on stage two, setting another fastest time to extend his advantage over England to 3.7 seconds and firmly establish himself as the driver to beat in Carlow.
However, the rally’s opening loop ended in heartbreak for the young crew when driveshaft failure struck on stage three, forcing the leaders into retirement and handing the initiative back to England. The same test also claimed Jack Kennedy and Dylan Harrington, whose promising Stellantis Rally Cup Ireland debut ended prematurely while sitting seventh overall in their Peugeot 208 Rally4.
As rain swept across the Carlow lanes for the second loop, the battle for victory intensified between England and Byrne. Both crews traded times throughout the slippery and unpredictable conditions, arriving at the final loop separated by just 2.4 seconds in what had become a fascinating head-to-head contest.
Behind them, Danny Brady and Liam Callaghan settled comfortably into third place after another assured performance aboard their Peugeot 208 Rally4.
The difficult middle loop also proved costly elsewhere in the field. Dean Murphy was forced into retirement, while Jack Fennessy and Joe O’Sullivan saw their encouraging outing come to an early end in the worsening conditions. John O’Rourke’s hopes of climbing the order were also hampered by a puncture aboard his Opel Corsa Rally4.
With conditions remaining treacherous for the final trio of stages, England produced a decisive drive on the opening test of the loop, delivering a stunning performance to take 14 seconds out of Byrne and effectively seize control of the rally.
There was still time for Brady to make his mark on the event, securing his maiden Stellantis Rally Cup Ireland scratch stage victory with the fastest time on stage eight, underlining the growing confidence and pace.
Byrne mounted a late charge on the final stage, but it wasn’t enough to deny England and Mullen a second consecutive Stellantis Rally Cup Ireland victory, continuing their perfect start to the season and extending their championship advantage.
Byrne and Davies secured their best result of the campaign with second overall, while Brady and Callaghan completed the podium and moved into second place in the championship standings.
Ross Hunter and co-driver Dean Murphy had shown strong pace before issues earlier in the day, while John O’Rourke ensured at least one Opel Corsa Rally4 reached the finish in fifth position.
After two dramatic opening rounds, the Stellantis Rally Cup Ireland now takes a short mid-season pause before returning to action at the Stonethrowers Rally in July, where the battle for the inaugural title is set to intensify once again.
