DECLAN GALLAGHER had the year from his dreams in 2015 and the Ardara man will get 2016 started behind the wheel of a Subaru Impreza S8 in Galway next month.
Derek McGarrity and Niall Maguire have both had success in the car now owned by Garry Jennings.
Gallagher is the reigning modified National and Tarmac champion and also won the Irish Tarmac Modified Championship in 2014, with trusted co-driver Ryan Moore alongside him in the Starlet.
On February 6-7, Gallagher will tackle the Galway International Rally in the S8 Impreza.
“This opportunity came up and I just couldn’t turn it down,” says Gallagher.
“I’d have been mad to say no to it.
“I haven’t got out in her yet, but I’m really looking forward to getting to Galway. There’s been a good bit of hype about it so far. I can’t wait now to start the testing.”
So it’s real. We will be making our first outing in a wrc car at the Corrib Oil Galway International rally, Thanks to…
Posted by Declan Gallagher – Milkman on Saturday, January 9, 2016
2015 could hardly have gone any better for Gallagher, but ‘The Milkman’ is relishing the step up in machinery now and those who’ll line the hedgerows of Galway can’t wait to see the action unfold.
Gallagher thrilled in the Starlet.
While the Millington-powered Mk2 Escorts might have 50-60 horsepower on Gallagher, he managed to conquer his class.
He won the Galway International last February and he went on a roll thereafter.
He was first in the modified section in West Cork, won the two-wheel drive in Monaghan, Ravens Rock, Sligo and the Galway Summer Rally. He was third overall in Carlow and third overall at the Galway Summer Rally.
He was first in the National rally at the Cork 20 and confirmed his winning of the Irish Tarmac Modified Championship, Gallagher and Moore finishing 1:52.5 ahead of Eugene Meehan and Sarah Whelan in Bantry.
“At the start of 2015, I’d never have imagined that the year would have gone so well – it was definitely my best year in rallying,” Gallagher says now.
“It’ll be hard to top last year.
“It’s hard to know what the big aim should be for 2016. This Galway thing has kind of put the thing all away cuckoo altogether!
“I’m looking forward to doing some events in a WRC car, but I’ll see how Galway goes first. I’d love to get a win in a WRC car along the way.”
Gallagher began navigating in 2002 and started driving in 2008 with his first win coming in the Mayo Juniors.
Last year was a real breakthrough for a man who always thrilled the crowds.
Gallagher and Moore had defied the odds and the logic in getting the better of the Mk 2 Escorts, but when he took a fastest stage time in Galway and finished third, ahead of World Rally Cars it was like a coming-of-age moment.
Video below of Gallagher and Moore in action at the Galway Summer Rally.
No rally fan left a stage until Gallagher, Moore and the Starlet passed them.
While he’ll be in the Impreza for Galway next month, Gallagher still plans to get ‘Wee Charlie’ back on the tar.
He says: “The Starlet is undergoing a bit of a rebuild at the minute so we’ll see how that goes. I hope to get to Mayo in March.”
Letterkenny man Moore is his regular navigator. They come as a team and the combination of The Milkman and The Milky Bar Kid is one of the best known in Irish rallying.
Gallagher says: “I’ve got a great partnership with Ryan. He’s been sitting with me now since 2011. That was the start of it and we’ve got a good understanding.”
One event is missing from his honours list – the Donegal International Rally.
In 2014, he was just 0.2 seconds behind Gary McPhillips when his challenge came to an end on special stage 5.
Last summer, the plan looked to be coming together. After five of the opening six stages, he was 21 seconds in front of McPhillips and had set some blistering times along the way – but disaster struck around Corradooey.
As he took a five right a little too over-zealously, the Starlet ended in the hedge and the dream was dashed.
It was a mark of the man that he was around the stages the following morning marshalling.
Donegal is the love – and remains the dream.
“It’s a bit strange, but that time I was leading in Donegal was probably still the highlight,” he says.
“I probably just pushed her a wee bit too hard and got caught. Hopefully I’ll get a chance again to do something in Donegal.”
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