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By: Neil McDaid
Photos: David McDaid
— The stone walls of the West have finally fallen to Callum Devine. In a performance that blended raw speed with calculated precision, the reigning Irish Tarmac Rally Champion exorcised the demons of previous years to claim a dominant, start-to-finish victory at the 2026 Corrib Oil Galway International Rally.
For the Derryman and his Killarney co-driver Noel O’Sullivan, this win was the missing jewel in their domestic crown. Having secured the title in 2025 without a Galway victory, the duo arrived in Eyre Square determined to set the record straight. They did so emphatically, piloting their Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 to a commanding win, leaving the drama to unfold in their wake on the treacherous, rain-slicked lanes.
"It’s been a long time coming," a relieved Devine said at the finish ramp, his voice cracking with emotion. "We’ve had the pace here before but never the luck. To finally add Galway to the list, especially on these stages which demand so much respect, is the perfect start to our title defense. The car was faultless, and Noel was perfect on the notes."
While Devine controlled the front, the battle for the podium was a fierce, fluctuating war of attrition. Kilkenny’s Eddie Doherty, stepping up his pace significantly this season in a similar Skoda Fabia, drove a superb rally to secure second place, finishing 37.1 seconds adrift of the leader. It was a statement drive from Doherty, who kept the pressure on but wisely settled for points when Devine’s lead became unassailable.
The final podium spot saw late heartbreak and heroism. For much of the weekend, the Boyle family appeared set to make history, with Michael and Declan Boyle holding a strong third heading into the final loop. However, a late charge by Monaghan’s Josh Moffett, debuting the new Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, spoiled the script. Moffett, adapting quickly to the new machinery, clawed back time over the closing miles to snatch third place by a mere handful of seconds, relegating Michael Boyle to fourth.
"We knew it would be tight," Moffett admitted, visibly exhausted. "Learning the Yaris on these roads is a baptism of fire, but we found a rhythm in the afternoon loop. We just kept pushing."
The event, the traditional curtain-raiser for the 2026 NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, was not without its high-profile casualties. The unforgiving Galway ditches claimed several top contenders early. Eamonn Kelly, a favourite for a podium spot, made a heavy exit on Stage 2, his Toyota Yaris succumbing to a slippery square left. Former champion Darren Gass also failed to reach the finish, retiring his Citroën C3 Rally2 with mechanical issues on Stage 6, while David Guest bowed out after an off on Stage 8.
In the Modified section, the action was typically breathless. Michael Cahill piloted his Ford Escort Mk2 to a stunning class victory, entertaining the sodden crowds with flamboyant driving that defied the grip levels. Meanwhile, in the Historic category, the nostalgia-heavy field navigated the conditions with grace, proving that the old-school machinery can still bite.
2026 Galway International Rally - Overall Top 5
- Callum Devine / Noel O’Sullivan (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) – 1:26:47.7
- Eddie Doherty / Tom Murphy (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) – +37.1s
- Josh Moffett / Andy Hayes (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) – +46.6s
- David Kelly / Shane Buckley (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) – +52.0s
- Declan Boyle/Patrick Walsh (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) – +1.14.3s
- Notable Retirements:
- Eamonn Kelly (Accident, SS2)
- Darren Gass (Mechanical, SS6)
- David Guest (Accident, SS8)
As the champagne sprayed in Galway, the message was clear: Devine is not just defending his title; he is stamping his authority on the history books. The championship now moves south, but the benchmark has firmly been set in the West.
