Jennings and Kennedy head a star-studded Donegal Rally entry

GARRY JENNINGS AND RORY KENNEDY head the entry list for the 2016 Joule Donegal International Rally.

The defending champions are back on Donegal tar next month looking to regain the title they memorable won last summer.

Jennings and Kennedy took the prize last year and are the number 1 seeds at this year’s event.

Organisers have confirmed the top 15 entrants for the event with the full entry list set to be released tomorrow.

The current Irish Tarmac Rally champion Donagh Kelly, who has had little luck in his pursuit of Donegal glory, is second on the list with Declan and Brian Boyle at number three.

Kelly will be partnered by Conor Foley in the Focus WRC, while the Boyle cousins are in the Fiesta WRC in which they won Donegal two summers ago

Eugene Donnelly, who won the event in 2004 and 2005 in a WRC Corolla is making his return with the Draperstown man set to be partnered by Paddy Toner in a Mini WRC.

Donnelly, at fourth, is followed by a bluechip entry in the form of Peugeot Rally Academy driver Craig Breen, the 2012 Super 2000 World Rally champion. Breen and Scott Martin will compete next month in Donegal in a WRC Citroen.

Breen has competed in Donegal previously – in a Mark 2 Escort – but will now be in with the big boys.

Manus Kelly and Donall Barrett won the National Rally in Donegal last summer, but they took take a step up in machinery.

Kelly and Barrett won the Carlow Rally in their first run out in the S12 Subaru and the Glenswilly-Milford duo will be one of those the natives will be keen to see around the 20 stages of Donegal.

Kelly and Barrett are at number 10 on the seeding while car number 15 will be the S2000 Skoda of Muff’s Joseph McGonigle, with Falcarragh man Ciaran Geaney on the notes.