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HOPES of any meaningful rallies taking place in Ireland this year appear to have ended with the cancellation of the Cork ‘20’ International scheduled for the end of September.

Traditionally it is the final round of the Irish Tarmac Championship and although the series had been abandoned some weeks ago because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Cork organisers were optimistic the rally could still run as a stand-alone event as restrictions in the Republic continue to ease.

But after a meeting this week, the Munster Motor Club directors decided, for the long-term future of the rally, to call it off, citing the need to ensure the continuation of the goodwill they receive from the residents who live along the proposed route and the safety of all involved.

It means the Cork ‘20’ joins the West Cork Rally, the Circuit of Ireland, the Rally of the Lakes and the Ulster International as a victim of Covid-19. Of the Tarmac Championship rounds planned for 2020, only the Galway International, won by Alastair Fisher back in February, has taken place.

The Irish National Championship and the Northern Ireland Championship have also been abandoned as has the British Championship, which was scheduled to include the West Cork and Ulster rallies.

The Ulster Automobile Club, organisers of the cancelled Cirbut cuit of Ireland, have now called off their Craigantlet Hillclimb event which usually sees Britain’s top sprint drivers tackle the historic hill on the outskirts of east Belfast. Off, too, is their Knockagh Hillclimb in September.

Irish racing is due to resume without spectators at Mondello Park at the end of July.

One Irish driver who finally gets to race for real this weekend is Daniel Harper, who makes his debut for the BMW Junior team in the delayed first round of the Nurburgring Endurance series.

The 18-year-old former British Porsche Carrera Cup champion from Hillsborough will share a BMW M240i Racing with teammates Max Hesse and Neil Verhagen for the 12-hour race tomorrow. Qualifying takes place later this afternoon.

JUST months before Ireland are due to play in the qualifying tournament for next year’s Women’s World Cup, their star player Kim Garth has signed a two-year contract with Cricket Victoria.

Garth has been spending her winters in Australia for the last four years, and after being named joint Player of the Year in the Victorian Premier League has accepted the chance of a professional career — although the 24-year-old admitted it wasn’t an easy decision.

“To leave family, friends and the whole Irish cricket community was a call I did not take lightly,” she said. “However, my ambition has always been to be a full-time cricketer and to play at the highest level. A chance like this doesn’t present itself too often, so I am keen to seize this opportunity.”

Indeed, she can qualify to play for world champions Australia by residency but still hopes to give something back to Irish cricket.

“I am grateful and conscious of the opportunities afforded to me by Cricket Ireland over the years, but I have also learned a lot living and playing cricket in Australia and hope that, at some future time, I can bring this experience home,” she said.

Garth’s decision could not have come at a worse time for Ireland as she would have been available for the World Cup qualifiers in Sri Lanka had they taken place, as scheduled, next week.

Covid-19 forced the postponement of the tournament and the earliest it can now take place is the autumn when the Australian season will have resumed.

Ireland women’s head coach Ed Joyce admitted the two-time Women’s Big Bash winner, who has played 114 internationals since the Dubliner’s debut as a 14-year-old, will be missed.

“This is obviously a blow, there is no way around that,” said Joyce. “To lose one of your leading players any time is a challenge but I can understand Kim’s decision and she has been quite open with her ambitions.

“Ambition is a good thing. I want players to be ambitious for Ireland and their careers. However, it will take a few years for us to be in a position to offer our women full-time opportunities.”