Irish Tarmac Rally Championship: Keith Cronin claims title over Callum Devine

Keith Cronin has won his second Irish Tarmac Rally Championship title at the shortened Cork 20 International Rally.

Callum Devine, Cronin's nearest challenger, won the event, which was declared after five stages due to heavy rain.

Knowing second would be enough to win the title even if Devine was to triumph, Cronin and co-driver Mikie Galvin put in a steading showing to come home behind 2023 champion Devine.

The title protagonists finished level on points but Cronin added to his 2016 Irish Tarmac title on count back.

Four-time British Rally champion Cronin opened the year with victory at the Galway International Rally in February and followed that up by winning West Cork.

Devine and co-driver Noel O'Sullivan responded with wins in Killarney and Donegal, but Cronin's victory at the Ulster Rally put him in the driving seat.

Claudy driver Devine played his part in the washed out final round by taking victory by 12.1 seconds after five of the scheduled eight stages, but Cronin's second place saw him edge his rival to the title.

Multiple British champion Matt Edwards, who won the Circuit of Ireland in April, was third ahead of James Ford and World Rally Championship regular Josh McErlean, who had a puncture on the second stage.