Declan Leonard took the Fiesta SportTrophy Ireland honours on the Modern Tyre Service Mourne Rally after his main rivals endured an action packed event.

2010 NI 2wd Group N Champion Jonny Leonard led the FST Ireland crews away from the Newry start on Saturday morning followed by Dara Leonard, Declan Leonard and Michael McCarroll. Series leader Stephen Baxter was a non-starter on the Mourne Rally having damaged his Fiesta R2 on a recent Irish National event and his rivals were eager to make up some ground in his absence.

Thirteen stages lay ahead of the crews including several runs over Camlough Mountain, Big Gullion and Wee Gullion tests with dry sunny conditions forecasted for the event.

Jonny Leonard/Jackie Elliot were immediately on the pace, completing the first stage 2 seconds faster than Declan Leonard/Dermot McCafferty who in turn were 7 seconds ahead of Michael McCarroll/Connor O'Loan. Tour of the Sperrins winners Dara Leonard/Denver Rafferty stopped the clocks on 1.47 seconds which was 1 second shy of McCarroll's time.

Fastest on stage two was Declan Leonard on a 1.44, ahead of his brother Dara who posted 1.51 over the short 'Wee Gullion' test. Michael McCarroll managed a 1.53 while Jonny Leonard had a stage to forget, throwing away 16 seconds to stop the clocks on 2 minutes exactly. So after two stages, Declan Leonard held the advantage by 14 seconds from Jonny Leonard, with Dara Leonard 1 second behind and having to keep an eye on Michael McCarroll who was also only 1 second behind him.

The crews then headed to the first run over the longest stage of the day before the first scheduled service. Big Gullion was to dramatically change the Fiesta SportTrophy leader board. First to falter was Jonny Leonard. A spin damaged the rear of the Fiesta ST and forcing his retirement, and then Dara Leonard put his ST off the road quickly followed by Michael McCarroll who wedged his ST between two bridge walls near the end of the stage. As Declan Leonard clocked into first service he knew he now only had to drive round to take the top FST Ireland win.

Declan duly continued after the service, kept out of trouble and finished the event in 29th overall and in the process ensuring maximum Fiesta SportTrophy points and he now occupies the top spot on the points table after 3 events. The series now takes a short break and will resume in August when the series moves to gravel on the Dogleap Rally.

Mourne Rally Results - Fiesta SportTrophy Ireland Round 3:

Declan Leonard/Dermot McCafferty - Fiesta ST - 52:28.0

Michael McCarroll/Connor O'Loan - Fiesta ST - Retired SS3 - accident

Dara Leonard/Denver Rafferty - Fiesta ST - Retired SS3 - accident

Jonny Leonard/Jackie Elliot - Fiesta ST - Retired SS3 - accident