All Ireland Activities for Limerick People
The Limerick hurlers may have been busy in Croke park but the Limerick drivers were busy in Galway, Cork, and Wexford .
Sean Moran and co driver Keith Moriarty finshed eigth overall and second in class 13R with their Escort in the Galway Summer Rally.
At the Autotest in Clonakilty Co Cork, Mike Mulcahy took a second overall finish on Sunday improving from fifth on Saturday. Former Limerick Motor Club chairman Eoin Noonan continued his return to motorsport with second in class F both days behind Bill "six seconds" Neville. The Fenlons Rob and John took class podium postions both days.
The second day of the Wexford hillclimb at Killurin saw John Kennedy repeat his third in class 3A. Jamie O'Rourke was fighting with the chicane again hitting the cones on two runs, his father James was better behaved but still finished over two seconds behind Jamie. The first day had John Kennedy 3rd in class 3A 16th overall 54.17s Declan Gannon 3rd in class 10 and 17th overall 54.71s. Jamie O'Rourke 2nd in class 8 and 19th overall in 55.17s. James O'Rourke 7th in class 8 and 28th overall 57.79s, James did have a disagreement with the chicane on run 3 of the 5 runs as did Jamie on run 4. Also at the event were Elaine Higgins-Shinnors as MI safety officer and Gerard O'Connor as startline time keeper.
And more Limerick connections this time in county Kildare. The BRM engined Hillman Avenger of Denis Hogan RIP was in action at the 50th anniversary race meeting at Mondello with Donal Griffin at the wheel, Donal is another former chairman of Limerick Motor Club and has been clerk of the course for the Circuit of Munster. Donal's weekend did not go well, he commented " Unfortunately she blew in wet practice yesterday morning so need to get the 2L into it and rebuild the 1600."
And a historic connection to the club. Barry Baker had the Buckler special at Mondello. This car competed in many club events in the 1950s driven by his father Guy and second owner Alec Malcolm. Barry's uncle Val was famous for his special known as "The Thing". Both Val and Guy were directors and event organisors for the club in the 1950s.
Also at Mondello doing parade laps in his Crossle F2 Car was Brian F Cullen. Brian was a successful driver in hillclimbs, sprints and races in the late 1960s. Brian was a record holder on many hills during that period. He was a contender for the Sexton Trophy finishing third in 1966 and second in 1967. He moved on to the international scene in 1970 and 1971 competing in UK and European F2 races. To finish off he was chairman of Limerick Motor Club in the 1960s as was his father Fred in the 1950s. Brian was also a successful competitor at water ski jumping. Jack Kingston did parade laps in Conor O'Brien's historic Mini.
Keeping the all Ireland theme brothers Maurice and Steve Meskell took third place with their Ford Escort MkI in the Historic section of the Ulster Rally. That means Limerick Motor Club members were competing in all four provinces!
