Donegal Rally set to bring big interest this weekend

Ireland's biggest rally, the Donegal International, takes place this weekend as three days and 20 magnificent stages await the title contenders.

A maximum entry will tackle some of the most renowned stages in the country such as Malin Head, Knockalla and Atlantic Drive across the three days of jam-packed action in Donegal in what is the fifth round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.

The Donegal international has, for decades, been the only three-day rally in Ireland, but they have now been joined by the West Cork, which this year became a three-day event for the first time.

Derry's Callum Devine is the top seed and will be defend his maiden Donegal victory from 12 months ago in his VW Polo.

However, Devine is playing catch-up as the reigning champion’s campaign suffered blows in West Cork and on the Circuit of Ireland but a much-needed win in Killarney has put him back in the mix.

Seeded second, Keith Cronin has been the driver on form so far and the 2016 Irish Tarmac champion is looking for his third win in this year’s series.

Success in Donegal would go a long way in his bid for a second Irish Tarmac title, but he also faces stiff competition from a string of ex-Donegal winners.

Cronin won the first two rounds in Galway and West Cork, but then lost out to Welshman Matt Edwards (Fiesta) on the Circuit of Ireland when the latter outfoxed him on tyre choice late in the event

A near-certain victory on the Killarney Rally of the Lakes was foiled by a puncture to Conin’s Fiesta Rally 2 and the Cork ace has a 13.5-point advantage at the head of the Tarmac leaderboard, from Edwards while Devine is third, a further 17.5 points back.

"We've finished every round so far, which is always a plus," said Cronin, as he made final