Longford driver Shane Quinn ‘delighted’ with first National Rally podium place

Talented Longford rally driver Shane Quinn said he was 'delighted' to achieve his first podium place finish in the National Rally Championship, which was 'very special' for him and his co-driver Stephen Reynolds.

The Birr Stages Rally made a highly anticipated return last Sunday, March 30 bringing top-class rallying back to the region.

Shane, who is from between Moydow and Ardagh, only began competing in national rally driving events in September 2021 when he participated in the Cork 20 Rally.

The 22 year-old said achieving a podium finish so early in the season, which runs from February until October, had surpassed his expectations.

"At the start of the year our target was to get podium finishes towards the end of the year.

"We didn't expect to get it so early which is very nice to get.

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" As the year went on we were hoping to be competing near the top and I suppose to get it this early is very special. Hopefully we can stay there now."

Shane said he has competed in about 40 rally races in total and his father Ronan Quinn started rally driving in 2017 and he developed an interest himself.

"It's a sport that once you get the bug for it, it's hard not to do it. It's a great sport, it's really competitive."

Shane stated both him and co-driver Stephen have a good relationship.

"We work well-together. He's as dedicated as I am to winning," he said. "We started off in a Fiesta Rally 4 front-wheel-drive and then in 2024 we moved up to what's called a Rally 3 Fiesta, which is a front-wheel-drive Fiesta.

"We've built it up over the last few years together and we've climbed the ranks together, which is brilliant."

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Shane said they competed in that car for a year and a half, and then they moved up to a Rally 2 Fiesta, which is where they are now.

Asked what it meant to get a podium finish, he said: "It's the top tier of Irish rallying and we sort of went up a bit of a pyramid scheme.
"We stuck with the Fiesta car the whole way through.

"What does it mean? I'll be honest, I got a bit emotional at the end of the last stage [on Sunday].

"It means so much. I love the sport. I love everything to do with it."

Shane and Stephen, from Manorhamilton, finished just 6.2 seconds behind defending Birr champion and recent West Cork Rally winner, Josh Moffett from Monaghan and co-driver Keith Moriarty (Limerick) who won the event.

Shane said there are about a dozen people on their team

"The work that goes into winning the rally, the whole team around us who prepare the car at the event.

"Our sponsors, family, friends, everyone that was there has been amazing.

"It's a huge team that's involved to compete at rallying and especially competing at the top."

Shane said the sport is 'expensive' and they are 'taking risks' but the safety of the cars and the equipment they wear is 'phenomenal'.

"Motorsport Ireland and the FIA across the world have gone to great lengths to work with clubs and competitors.

"I would consider it a safe sport,” he added.