Three Fermanagh competitors head into this weekend’s Donegal International Rally with genuine hopes of a podium finish in Ireland’s most high-profile rally.

Kesh resident Dave Moynihan has already taken to the top step of the podium in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship this season when he partnered Matt Edwards to victory in the Circuit of Ireland, and he will be hoping to replicate that achievement on the tough three-day event in the North West.

The pair came close to victory two years ago, leading the rally on the final day before crashing out on the legendary Atlantic Drive stage. They followed that up with second overall in 2023, and they have demonstrated they have the speed to challenge at the top of the leaderboard against Ireland’s fastest crews.

Garry Jennings has twice won the rally, but goes into this year’s event as an outsider for victory in his Ford Fiesta R5.

Jennings’ appearances in recent years have been limited, and he has only competed three times since last year’s Donegal Rally. He finished fifth on the Circuit of Ireland at Easter and was lying tenth on the Killarney Rally of the Lakes before his retirement, but Donegal is his favourite event. and having won the rally twice in the past he will be looking for a giant-killing performance up against the more modern machinery in his class.

Brian Hoy is set to navigate for Cathan McCourt, with the Ford Fiesta driver looking for his first-ever podium finish on a round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.

The pair came close on the Circuit of Ireland, with McCourt securing his best-ever finish on a round of the championship when they came home in fourth, and he will be looking to go at least one better this weekend.

There are Fermanagh competitors throughout the packed field, with Damien Campbell, Chrisy Corry and Ruairi McGarrity all taking on the challenge of the three-day event, while Michael McDaid and Jonni McDaid will both drive in the Historic section.

For the first time in over a decade, the Friday stages will be centred around the Malin Head peninsula, with competitors tackling two loops of three high-speed stages either side of service in Letterkenny.

Saturday’s eight stages feature the classic Knockalla and High Glen, before the rally concludes with six stages on Sunday including Atlantic Drive and Fanad Head. The event officially gets underway with a ceremonial start in Letterkenny on Thursday night, with the first competitive action at 11am on Friday.