Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution driver Shaun Gallagher (Ireland) collected a convincing win in the Group N category of Rally Ireland, which ended in Sligo Sunday’s afternoon. His fellow Lancer drivers were also on fine form to lock-out the podium, taking another one-two-three finish for the all-conquering Lancer Evolution, despite the awful weather conditions.

Running as the opening round of the 2009 World Rally Championship, in place of the legendary Monte Carlo Rally, the crews had been expecting harsh conditions on the notoriously wild west coast of Ireland. And the weather certainly delivered. The opening two days of the event were battered by rain storms so severe they forced the event organizers to cancel the final two stages of the opening day.

Like the event it replaced for this year, Rally Ireland straddles two countries - Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland - with equal amounts of competitive action in both. The rally’s headquarters are in Sligo, in the Republic, but the ceremonial start is in Enniskillen in the North.

No matter which side of the border the competition was, however, the rain remained torrential. Making the best of the atrocious conditions was Alan Ring (Ireland). The Lancer driver pushed his car as hard as he dared along the treacherous Irish lanes to ease his way 30 seconds clear at the front of the Group N field by the end of the opening day. Gallagher kept him honest through the early part of day two and, when Ring slipped off the road in SS11, the first run through Tempo, Gallagher seized his opportunity to further close the gap. Two stages later and Gallagher was ahead. He remained there until the end of the event.

Running under the World Rally Team Ireland banner, Gallagher admitted his victory was a proud moment.

"Winning Group N here means a great deal," he said. "It’s been such a tough event, I can’t remember conditions like that for a long time. It was like being in a swimming pool some of the time! But the car was great, it ran really well despite all of the water. It was a tough fight as well, you know Alan [Ring] was quick on the first couple of days."

The third and final day of Rally Ireland came as a complete contrast the Friday and Saturday, with sunshine and near-freezing temperatures arriving in time for a final blast up and down the beautiful scenery of the Atlantic coast.

Another local driver, Gary Jennings (Ireland) was second in Group N, with Paul Elliot (Ireland), Rory Byrne (Ireland) and Derrick Jobb (United Kingdom) bringing their cars home third, fourth and sixth respectively.

At the front of the field, defending world champion Sebastien Loeb (France) won the event for the second time in succession, leading home his fellow Citroen driver Dani Sordo (Spain). Mikko Hirvonen (Finland) was the first non-C4 WRC driver home as he guided his Ford to third place.

The next event is Rally Norway (February 12-15), which is the opening round of the Production Car World Rally Championship.

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