Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast

🎤🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. 2026 Season, episode 44🎤🎤

In this special episode, we look back at the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship season through the eyes of the M-Sport and Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy crews who have been at the heart of the action.

We catch up with Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy, alongside Jon Armstrong and Shane Byrne, to reflect on a demanding year of competition, the challenges of competing at the highest level of international rallying, and the experiences, lessons and highlights that shaped their seasons.

We also sit down with John Coyne, who founded the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy in 2019, to discuss the vision behind the programme, its development over the years, and its role in supporting and nurturing Irish rallying talent on the world stage.

From the WRC stages to the bigger picture behind the academy, this episode offers a unique insight into the people, partnerships and ambitions driving Irish rallying forward. Join us as we celebrate a memorable season and look towards the future.

Chapters Start 00:00:00

Josh, Jon, Eoin & Shane 00:02:45

John Coyne 00:51:30

End 01:37:51

🎤🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 43🎤🎤

First up, we catch up with Daniel McKenna to hear about his modified-class victory at the Donegal Harvest Rally, as he reflects on the event and what it took to win.

Ralio presenter Emyr Penlan then joins us to look back on a thrilling conclusion to the World Rally Championship. With drama right to the finish, Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin have been crowned the 2026 World Rally Champions. Emyr shares his thoughts on the story behind the title-deciding finale.

Finally, Peter Eakin Safety Officer for the Dogleap Rally, joins us to discuss what competitors and spectators can expect from the event this weekend, with a focus on safety and all the action ahead.

Chapters Start 00:00:00

Daniel McKenna on his modified Harvest win 00:03:22

Emyr Penlan on the dramatic conclusion to the WRC 00:22:15

Peter Eakin previews the Dogleap Stages 00:46:00

Ends 01:02:17

🎤🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. 2026 Season, episode 42🎤🎤

We sit down with Andy Hayes to reflect on an incredible season and his two championship successes, taking the Irish Forestry and Irish Tarmac Championship co-driver titles.

We also catch up with Matthew Boyle and Declan Boyle, winners of the Chris Kelly Manx Rally, who are joined by second-place driver Michael Boyle.

Andy Mackerel and Richard Cassidy join us to discuss their Irish Tarmac Championship season, sharing their experiences and reflecting on the highs and challenges along the way.

Finally, we turn our attention to the Donegal Harvest Rally, as Clerk of the Course John Crumlish joins us to preview the event and discuss what competitors and fans can expect.

Chapters

Start 00:00:00

ITRC & Irish Forestry Champion co-driver Andy Hayes 00:03:05

Manx Tales with Matthew, Declan & Michael Boyle 00:30:18

ITRC Campaign with Andy Mackerel & Richard Cassidy 00:48:28

Donegal Harvest COC John Crumlish 01:28:45

Ends 01:41:13

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. 2026 Season, episode 41 🎤

The Escort Rally Special, held in Belgium on September 12th and 13th, delivered a fantastic weekend of action, with a huge contingent of competitors from the island of Ireland making their presence felt on the stages. Christopher O’Callaghan continued to demonstrate the impressive pace he’s shown throughout the season, further cementing his reputation as one of Ireland’s quickest Class 14 Escort MKII drivers. Conor Murphy also had plenty to celebrate, securing a strong finish after a frustrating run of bad luck. His speed has never been in doubt, and it was great to see the results finally come his way. However, the star of the weekend was undoubtedly Cathal Mulcaire. Driving a car generously lent to him by the O’Callaghan family, and more accustomed to Pinto power, Cathal produced a sensational performance to claim third overall. The result made it an all-Irish podium lockout, with Frank Kelly also in the thick of the action before slipping off the road when he was just outside the podium positions. Join us as we look back on an unforgettable Belgian adventure and celebrate the incredible pace of the Irish Escort crews!

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast2026 Season, episode 41🎤

This week on the podcast, we catch up with Eddie Doherty and Tom Murphy, fresh from their impressive win on the Cork 20 Rally. They tell us about their season and plans for 2027.

We also chat to Max Freeman about his Cork 20 experience, where he took on the co-driving duties alongside Sam Touzel and his love for the sport.

Plus, we’re joined by Pat O’Connor, Clerk of the Course for this weekend’s Laois Forestry Rally, as he gives us the lowdown on what’s in store for competitors and fans.

Chapters 

Start 00:00:00

Eddie Doherty & Tom Murphy 00:04:13

Max Freeman 00:25:40

Patrick O'Connor 00:39:28

End 00:57:14

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast. 2026 Season, episode 40🎤

This week’s episode pays tribute to legendary rallying figure Terry Harryman, who sadly passed away this week, as we chat with Ian Beasant about his remarkable career and legacy.

Fresh from his Bushwhacker Rally victory, co-driver Andy Hayes joins us to discuss his win alongside Josh Moffett and looks ahead to this weekend's Cork 20 Rally.

Staying with the Bushwhacker theme, Richard O’Lone and Stephen Conn join us to talk about Richard’s first gravel rally and the challenges of switching from tarmac.

Looking ahead, we catch up with Kevin O’Riordan, Clerk of the Course for the Cork 20 Rally, the final round of this year’s Irish Tarmac Championship.

Chapters

Start 00:00:00

Ian Beasant talks about Terry Harryman 00:02:02

Andy Hayes on the Bushwhacker Rally win 00:19:45

Richard O'Lone & Stephen Conn 00:37:55

Cork 20 COC Kevin O'Riordan 01:03:56

End 01:19:31

🎤 Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, Episode 39 🎤

This week on the podcast, we catch up with Meirion Evans to discuss his 2026 season so far, including his performance on Rali Ceredigion and his progress in the British Rally Championship.

We also chat with Aoife Raftery about her busy year competing in both the American Rally Association Championship and the British Rally Championship, looking back at her experiences and achievements on both sides of the Atlantic.

Jack Breenan joins us after his impressive fourth-place finish in a Rally3 car at Wexford, as we look back on his season to date.

Finally, we look ahead to the Bushwhacker Rally with Clerk of the Course Lewis Boyd and Deputy Clerk of the Course Ronnie McAleer, who give us the inside track on what competitors and spectators can expect from this year’s event.

Chapters

Meirion Evans 00:03:50

Aoife Raftery 00:23:10

Jack Brennan 00:40:04

Lewis Boyd & Ronnie McAleer 00:47:40

End 01:05:50

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 38.🎤

This week on the podcast, we catch up with Paddy McToal, the two-wheel-drive victor on the Lakeland Stages Rally, and Declan Casey, the second-place co-driver in the two-wheel-drive category, as they reflect on their performances in Fermanagh and look ahead to upcoming forestry rounds.

We’re also joined by Andy Hayes, who talks us through his Lakeland Stages Rally and brings us up to speed on the upcoming Wexford Stages Rally, including preparations, the entry, and how the event is shaping up.

Finally, we look back at the recent Rali Ceredigion, which hosted joint rounds of the European Rally Championship and British Rally Championship. Casey Jay Coleman, Kalum Graffin, and Kyle McBride join us to discuss their experiences on the challenging Welsh stages and the battles throughout the event.

Chapters

Start 00:00:00

Lakeland Chat with Paddy McToal & Declan Casey 00:04:30

Andy Hayes talks about Lakeland & previews Wexford 00:28:30

Casey Jay, Kalum & Kyle discuss Rali Ceredigion 00:48:04

End 01:12:53

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season, episode 37🎤

On this week’s episode, Frank Kelly joins us to chat about his recent exploits on Polish Rally Legend, and to look ahead to the upcoming Escort Rally Special in Belgium and the RSC Rallye Wildetaube in Germany.

We’re also joined by New Zealand rallying father-daughter duo Anthony and Zoe Jones, who share stories from their rallying adventures, including their memorable trip to Ireland for June’s Donegal International Rally.

Looking ahead, Enniskillen Motor Club Clerk of the Course Simon Macrory gives us the lowdown on this weekend’s Lakeland Forestry Rally, discussing what competitors and spectators can expect. We also sit down with the club’s Safety Officer, Francie Fox, for an insight into the vital role of event safety, from planning and preparation to ensuring everything runs safely on rally day.

Chapters

Start 00:00:00

Frank Kelly 00:03:15

Zoe & Anthony Jones 00:23:48

Simon Macrory 00:41:22

Francie Fox 00:50:10

End 01:06:57

🎤Krunching Gears - The Rally Podcast, 2026 Season episode 36🎤

Marty McCormack & Barney Mitchell share their impressions of the latest round of the European Historic Rally Championship: the Lathi Historic Rally. We also discuss all the latest developments in the Mats Performance BMW M3.

In this episode, we also talk to Ben McFall, Mark McGeehan, Oran England, and Darragh Mullen about the battles they have had this season and what they're looking forward to at Rali Ceredigion.

Chapters

Start 00:00:00

Marty & Barney 00:01:45

Ben, Mark, Oran & Darragh on their seasons thus far 00:30:50

End 01:03:29