Motor clubs honour champions

THE two motor clubs in Kerry celebrated 2016 success with functions over the Christmas period. Killarney and District Motor Club honoured several of its members with a special awards night in the K-Town Bar last Thursday.

Guests on the night included Irish Tarmac Rally champions Keith Cronin and Mikie Galvin, British Junior Rally champions Rob Duggan and Ger Conway and Southern Four Rally champions Charlie and Johnny Hickey. All six received awards from club chairman Diarmid Cronin.

Donal O’Connor was recognised for his back-to-back victories in the Southern Four Historic Rally Championship.

World Rally Championship event winner, Paul Nagle and class winner Noel O’Sullivan were also honoured but were unable to attend as they were out of the country on extended Christmas breaks.

Mike Marshal, the clerk of the course for the first Rally of the Lakes in 1979 was presented with a special achievement award, while the event’s current chief marshal Martin Farell was also recognised for his efforts in more recent years.

Father and son Pat and Denis Walsh were honoured for marshalling on 14 different events during the 2016 season while club secretary Emma Looney and photographer Ray Corkery were also rewarded for their work.

The following night, Kerry Motor Club held its annual award night at the Abbeydorney GAA clubhouse. Award winners in the club’s AutoSolo championship included, Mike Dennehy, Steven Guerin and Derek Butler and overall series winner Robert Beamish.

Kerry Motor Club will host its annual general meeting on Sunday, January 8 at 5pm at the Rose Hotel in Tralee.