Kris Meeke had blistering pace and a heartbreak ending. Meeke arrived as one of the biggest names in this year’s rally, piloting a BMW M3 E30, and he didn’t disappoint. From Stage 1 he was electric, setting seven fastest stage times in a row and building what looked like a winning lead. However, motorsport can be cruel, his engine let go late in the rally, ending his charge dramatically.
Donagh Kelly & Rory Kennedy are champions again. With Meeke sidelined, Donagh Kelly and Rory Kennedy seized the moment, pushing flat-out to the finish. In a nail-biting end, they claimed victory by just 1.5 seconds, securing back-to-back Killarney Historic wins.
1st Place
Donagh Kelly / Rory Kennedy — BMW M3 E30
Total time: 1:01:54.7
Retained their title from last year, winning by a razor-thin margin — just 1.5 seconds ahead of 2nd place.
Despite a dramatic turn in the final stages (with mechanical worries and fierce pressure from rivals), they held their nerve and clinched victory — classic rally-drama finish.
2nd Place
John O’Donnell / Paddy Robinson — BMW M3
Finished just 1.5 seconds behind the winners: 1:01:56.2.
Their performance was extremely consistent under pressure, holding pace throughout the rally and pushing the leaders right to the line.
Their near-win gives a “so close yet so strong” narrative — appealing for those who admire performance and grit even if not the champion.
3rd Place
Robert Duggan / Ger Conway — Ford Escort (Historic-spec)
Total time: 1:01:59.9 — 5.2 seconds behind the winners.
Their final-stage push was one of the most memorable drives of the rally: on the night-time stage at Moll’s Gap, they attacked hard, clawing back significant time — delivering some of the event’s most dramatic shots.
While the Historic class grabbed headlines for its drama, the Modified Section delivered some of the most spectacular driving of the weekend. Classic Escorts and retro builds tore through the Kerry stages with modern performance tweaks under the skin, late braking, tail-out slides, and high-rev roars echoing off the hedges. For many spectators, this was rallying at its most exciting: old-school looks with modern aggression. These cars may carry vintage bodies, but they fight like modern machines and it showed on every stage.
Colin & Kieran O’Donoghue – Dominant Modified Winners
A committed drive from start to finish secured them the top spot. Quick off the line, confident through the wet sections, and tidy through the tight stuff — they were simply the benchmark of the Modified field.
Chris Armstrong & Conor Smith – Consistency & Pace
Armstrong wasn’t far behind — competitive times all day and visibly pushing when it mattered. Their Escort danced beautifully through the stages, especially on flowing roads where commitment counts.
Gary McPhillips & Conor Mohan – Fighting to the Line
McPhillips rounded out the podium, just seconds behind second place. Always spectacular to watch, always quick — the kind of car that photographs incredibly well under speed.
