Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 52. A special episode this week as M-Sport confirms its driver line-up for the 2026 World Rally Championship. Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy return to the team following a breakthrough season, underlining M-Sport’s confidence in one of the championship’s most promising partnerships. We also look ahead to an exciting new chapter as Jon Armstrong and Shane Byrne step up to contest all 14 rounds of the WRC with the M-Sport squad. We chat with Rich Milliner, John Coyne, Josh McErlean, Eoin Treacy, Jon Armstrong and Shange Byrne to explore the implications for M-Sport, the drivers, and the future of Irish talent on rallying’s biggest platform. We are also joined by Motorsport Ireland President Aiden Harper to look back on the 2025 season for Motorsport Ireland and touch on the future of rallying in Ireland.

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 51. Part two of ‘In conversation with Gerry McGarrity’. We continue our deep dive into the career of one of Irish rallying’s most influential figures. In this episode, Gerry reflects on his work with emerging talent and the pivotal role he played in the development of drivers, including Kris Meeke, Garry Jennings, Gareth McHale, Alastair Fisher, and Sam & Josh Moffett. He also discusses his involvement in the Northern Ireland Sprint Championship and the special place that competition plays in Gerry’s life. Recorded in front of a live audience, this conversation offers unique insight into Gerry’s contribution to Irish motorsport beyond the driver’s seat. With thanks to everyone who helped make this special evening with Gerry McGarrity possible.

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 50. In conversation with Gerry McGarrity, part one. Gerry is known for his dedication, skill, and tenacity. Based in Fermanagh, he has spent decades earning respect as a rally driver, a motorsport preparation expert, and a mentor for young talent. Among the many drivers he guided, none felt his influence more strongly than Mark Fisher. Gerry played a quiet but significant role in shaping Mark’s early approach to the sport—helping to refine his technique, build his confidence, and instil the discipline that would eventually carry him onto the international stage. He has tutored young drivers all the way up to competing in the World Rally Championship, and Mark’s rise remains one of the clearest examples of Gerry’s ability to spot potential and nurture it with care. Whether he’s competing or working behind the scenes, Gerry truly represents the spirit of grassroots rallying.

Kruncing Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 49. Winners of the Killarney Historic Rally, Donagh Kelly & Rory Kennedy, join us to talk about their win in the BMW M3 – a poignant victory for Rory, who won the Killarney Rally of the Lakes 35 years ago alongside Bertie Fisher in a similar BMW M3. Modified winners in Killarney, Colin O’Donoghue & Kieran O’Donoghue chat about their MKII adventures at the event. Joining us to relive the recent Roger Albert Clarke Rally (RAC) is second-place finisher Paul Barrett, and sharing their RAC experiences in a classic Morris Mini are Colin McDowell & Geraldine McBride. Chapters Start 00:00:00 Donagh Kelly & Rory Kennedy 00:05:08 Colin & Kieran O'Donoghue 00:30:55 Paul Barrett 00:51:20 Colin McDowell & Geraldine McBride 01:05:30 End 01:37:46

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 48. We look back at the recent Roger Albert Clark (RAC) Rally with Gordon Noble, who finished 2nd overall. Marty McCormack, Barney Mitchell, and Mats van den Brand chat about their tilt at the 2025 RAC crown in the Mats Performance-built BMW M3. Allen Treacy, Mark McCaffrey, Richard Hogg and Mark Hanna join us to chat about their exploits over the five-day RAC adventure. Chapters Start 00:00:00 Gordon Noble 00:02:34 Marty McCormack, Barney Mitchell & Mads van den Brand 00:26:30 Richard Hogg, Mark Hanna, Allen Tracey & Mark McCaffrey 01:00:40 End 01:53:00

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 47. We catch up with Jordan Hone and his co-driving father, Paul, to talk about winning the Brown & Brown NI Forest Rally Challenge. Shane McGirr & Denver Rafferty tell us about their Fivemiletown Rally exploits and taking the 2-wheel drive win at the event. We look forward to the Killarney Historic Rally, featuring two stalwarts of rallying in the Kingdom, Sean Moriarty and Rory Kennedy. Chapters Start 00:00:00 Jordan & Paul Hone 00:05:40 Shane McGirr & Denver Rafferty 00:22:50 Rory Kennedy & Sean Moriarty 00:45:00 End 01:22:13

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 47. We look back at the Dacia Sandero Cup with Cillian Doherty, Tommy Cuddihy, Leah Doherty, Art McCarrick, Denis Ferry, Trevor Toner and Declan O’Keeffe. For more about the Dacia Cup, visit the website. www.daciasanderochallengecup.com We catch up with Ben McFall to chat about his year-to-date and his exciting plans for next year. Ronnie McAleer and Lewis Boyd from the Omagh Motor Club talk to us about the upcoming Fivemiletown Rally. Chapters Start 00:00:00 Dacia Sandero Cup Chat 00:04:33 Ben McFall 01:00:40 Samsonas Fivemiletown preview with Ronnie & Lewis 01:14:02

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Series, episode 46. Eamonn Kelly chats to us about stepping into the Skoda Rally2 for the first time and taking his maiden victory on the McCafferty’s Bars Donegal Forestry Rally. Winner of the 2-wheel drive on the Donegal Forestry, Marty McCormack joins us to talk about the ongoing development of the gravel spec BMW, along with M3 rally preparation wizard Mats van den Brand. We also have Daniel Breslin on this week to tell us about rallying on gravel for the first time in Shane McGirr’s mighty Lada. Chapters Start 00:00:00 Overall winner Eamonn Kelly 00:05:30 Marty McCormack & Mats van den Brand on the gravel development of the BMW M3 00:25:30 Daniel Breslin on his first time in a Lada and on Gravel 00:51:32  

Krunching Gears -The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 45.   Kyle McBride & Darragh Mullen join us to talk about their Junior British Rally Championship and Stellantis Cup campaigns.   McCafferty’s Bars Donegal Forestry Rally Clerk of the Course Johnny Baird chats about this year’s event.   Gareth McKay (formerly Waylander Rally Clips) discusses historic rallying, including the Killarney Historic Rally, the Roger Albert Clark Rally, and the 2026 Ulster Rally, which is set to become a round of the FIA Historic Rally Championship.

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 44. William Creighton & Liam Regan, our 2025 British Rally Champions, join us to chat about their BRC campaign and what winning the championship means to them. Max McRae talks to us about his maiden BRC win on the Cambrian Rally and his grandfather Jimmy, his biggest fan, who turned 82 last week. Patrick McHugh tells us about how much he is enjoying his brand new, KGP-powered Darrian T90 GTR+ and competing in the recent Fastnet Stages Rally. Chapters Start 00:00:00 BRC Champions William Creighton & Liam Regan 00:04:50 Cambrian Rally winner Max McRae 00:24:08 Patrick McHugh talks about his Darrian 00:35:00 End 00:51:56

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 43. Jamie McMillan, Chief Engineer to Ott Tanak at Hyundai, chats to us about the Central European Rally. We hear about the recent Hemicuda Rally in Belgium from brothers Dale and Scott Singleton, who made the trip and came away with many positives. Ronan Comerford joins us to talk about his role as Chief Marshal (Shadow) on the final round of the WRC in Saudi Arabia (Nov 25 – 29th). Chapters Start 00:00:00 Jamie McMillan (Hyundai Motorsport Engineer) 00:04:36 Scott and Dale Singleton (Rally Hemicuda) 00:32:44 Ronan Comerford (WRC Saudi Arabia - Chief Marshal shadow) 00:51:25

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. 2025 Season, episode 42. Review of the Dogleap Rally with Niall Devine, who took his first win, 2nd placed co-driver Barry McCarney, and Alan Smyth, who finished 3rd on his Rally2 debut. We talk to Mull Rally's nine-time winner, Callum Duffy, and 2nd place finisher and previous winner, Fergus Barlow, to find out what makes this event so magical, with its combination of tarmac stages, narrow roads, night rallying, and community engagement. Chapters Start 00:00:00 Niall, Barry & Alan chat Dogleap 00:04:09 Calum Duffy on the magic of Mull 00:32:10 Fergus Barlow Mystical Mull 00:55:40

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. 2025 Season, episode 41.     Jon Armstrong & Shane Byrne, the winning crew, and second-placed Lorcan Moore chat to us about the Croatia Rally, the final round of the 2025 European Rally Championship.     Niall McGonigle joins us to talk about his win on the recent Chris Kelly Memorial Rally on the Isle of Man, his first closed road rally.   Chapters Start 00:00:00 Jon, Shane & Lorcan 00:06:13 Niall McGonigle 00:29:35

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 40. Roy Alcorn shares the story of being reunited with LIB 1800, a car with a deep history in rallying and personal significance. Following Roy's story, we delve into a special Rally Masters review that brings together legends Stephen Murphy, Rory Kennedy, James Cullen, James O’Brien, Denis Ferry, and Dessie Wilson to share their insights and memories of the event in Killarney. To round out the episode, rising talents Aoife Raftery and Hannah McKillop join the conversation to discuss their 2025 rally season. Chapters Start 00:00:00 Roy Alcorn 00:02:10 Rally Masters Review 00:26:40 Aoife & Hannah 01:24:12 End 01:40:20

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 39.   This episode focuses on the Bushwhacker Rally, featuring Patrick, Stephen, Kevin, and Frank O’Brien discussing their recent victory, making it five wins in five years.     Robbie McGurk and Raymond Hill share their Bushwhacker experiences as they took part in a demonstration run at the head of the field.   Donall Sweeney & Oisin Joyce discuss securing second place in the two-wheel-drive category, in what was an epic fight.

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. 2025 Season, episode 38.   Michael Boyle & Declan Boyle look back at the Wexford Stages Rally and chat about their maiden victory. Continuing the Wexford theme, Frank Kelly chats to us about competing in the event and discusses the upcoming Rally Legend in San Marino. Next, we catch up with Paul Barrett to chat about his family’s involvement with the Omagh Motor Club. Then, Ronnie McAleer & Lewis Boyd from Omagh Motor Club join us to preview the exciting plans for the 50th anniversary Bushwhacker rally. Chapters Start 00:00:00 Michael & Declan Boyle 00:02:15 Frank Kelly 00:17:02 Paul Barrett 00:38:35 Lewis Boyd & Ronnie McAleer 00:51:51

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. 2025 Season, episode 37. In this episode, we first review Rali Ceredigion with Jon Armstrong and Shane Byrne, who join us to discuss their maiden European Rally Championship (ERC) and British Rally Championship (BRC) wins. In the second part of the podcast, we are joined by Eamonn Kelly—Rally3 winner—along with Kyle McBride and Joe Kelly, to talk about their battle for top Junior BRC honours and Stellantis Cup points. Chapters Start 00:00:00 Jon & Shane 00:04:40 Eamonn, Kyle & Joe 00:39:00

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 36.   Patrick and Stephen O’Brien, the winning crew from the Lakeland Stages, join us, along with 2WD 1st & 2nd drivers Sam Stewart & Paddy McToal.     We also chat to the Clare Stages winner and newly crowned National Champion, Eddie Doherty, along with the Clare Stages 2WD winner, Brian Brady.

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 35.     This week, we look ahead to the Lakeland Stages Rally with Alan Cullinan, the CoC, and then we are joined by Sinéad Canny, PRO for the Clare Motor Club, to tell us about the upcoming Clare Stages Rally.

Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2025 Season, episode 34.   We are joined by Jason Black and Karl Egan to discuss Jason's recent victory on the GRP4 Fabrications Thomond Mini Stages Rally. We catch up with Jon Armstrong about his second-place finish on the latest round of the ERC, the Barum Czech Rally Zlín.   Chapters Start 00:00:00 Jason Black & Karl Egan 00:04:05 Jon Armstrong 00:23:19