Caldwell shines in Galway with Rally3 victory as McArdle claims modified win

Cian Caldwell and Paul McPhillips claimed a commanding Rally3 victory on the Galway International Rally, winning the class by 36.5 seconds on their first Ford Fiesta Rally3 appearance of the year.

Carrying the momentum of last year’s hat-trick of Rally4 titles in the MI Junior Rally Series (MIJRS), National Rally Championship, and Forest Rally Championship, the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy crew were a model of consistency throughout the weekend. The Rally3 rookies regularly broke into the top 15 on stages dominated by Rally2 cars, eventually securing 14th overall.

"Our main goal coming into the weekend was to get seat time in the car and adapt to four-wheel-drive before our main rally program kicks off," said Caldwell.

"I feel the weekend was quite successful, learning different set-ups in the car, and also how the car handles on mixed surfaces. We drove comfortably within our limits all weekend and look forward to now progressing and getting faster.”

Monaghan co-driver Killian McArdle won the modified section of the Galway International Rally alongside Michael Cahill. The Ford Escort Mk2 crew had been in a close battle with Rodney Wilton for most of the event before Wilton's retirement on Sunday afternoon. Their strong speed was shown by their two-minute, 15-second winning margin.

"It was a great weekend down in Galway and I am over the moon with the result," said McArdle. 

"The stages were really tricky with some places having plenty of grip and others with nothing. Hats off to Michael who didn't put a foot wrong all weekend and also big thanks to the Academy for their support and help over the last year. It has made massive improvements to me as a co-driver.”

Another MI Rally Academy co-driver in Declan Boyle had been in contention for a runner-up finish alongside Michael Boyle before their Skoda Fabia Rally2 cut out after a jump and wouldn't restart on the penultimate stage.

Earlier this month, MI Rally Academy members William Creighton, Liam Regan, Kyle McBride, and Darragh Mullen collected their British Rally Championship and Junior BRC trophies at the Royal Automobile Club in London after the two crews' successful BRC campaigns in 2025.

"It was a special night at the RAC club in London for Liam and I as we attended the Motorsport UK Night of Champions to collect our BRC trophy," said Creighton. 

"There were so many successful teams, engineers, journalists and drivers at the ceremony and to be a part of that felt quite special. It was nice to look back at our year in the BRC and take the opportunity to celebrate and thank all of the sponsors and team members who helped Liam and I become BRC Champions.”

McBride also won the Motorsport category of the Donegal Sports Star Awards over the weekend, collecting his award at the Mount Errigal Hotel.

"I was delighted to win Donegal's Motorsport Star of the Year, it is a real honour especially as this is the Award's 50th anniversary," said McBride. 

"Thanks to everyone who helped us have a successful year in 2025 and it was a special feeling to celebrate our Junior BRC success at the Royal Automobile Club the weekend before as well.”

Elsewhere, Jon Armstrong and Josh McErlean were present at the European Motor Show at the RDS Arena, Dublin, in a line-up that included Christian Horner, Alex Dunne, and Tiff Needell. 

Their Ford Puma Rally1 was on display and Armstrong and McErlean were interviewed on stage about their motorsport journey, promoting rallying and Irish motorsport.

Photos by MiRally Academy, Kevin Shields, Michael Chester & Apphoto