Eamonn Boland and co-driver Damien Morrissey secured a memorable win in this weekend's Jim Clark Memorial International Rally.

Their Subaru crossed the line four seconds in front of Tim McNulty who was relegated to 11th overall after picking up a 15 minute penalty after the event for an alleged tyre infringement.

This promoted Gareth MacHale in his Ford Focus to second place after a thrilling battle over the two day, 17 stage 150 mile event. Gareth's brother Aaron failed to finish the final stage after a steering arm broke.

Boland reeled in long time leader Tim McNulty to take his third straight victory in a round of the Global Group Irish Tarmac series. Boland punched in a string of fastest times on today’s second and final leg and took the lead on Stage 15.

Mark Higgins subsequently took third place and added maximum points on both the Tesco 99 British Championship and GpN on the Global Group Tarmac Championship.

Clonakilty’s Kevin Kelleher (Mitsubishi) was second placed Group N driver in the Irish series where he has extended his lead.

We didn't push hard enough in the opening two stages today," McNulty admitted. "That gave the momentum to Eamonn and he capitalised on it."

McNulty contributed to his own downfall. Twice, in stages 14 and 15, the 12-milers at Eccles and Leitholm, McNulty stalled his car at hairpins.

Even in the last stage, which he started just 3.8s behind Boland, he lost time when his car cut out twice. But the winner was elated.

"We were absolutely flat out at the end," said Boland. "I knew Tim would throw everything at us in the last stage. We couldn't afford to back off.

"We were always playing catch-up after I dropped 17 seconds to Tim on Saturday's opening stage, but we kept plugging away."

Dublin's Aaron MacHale finished third in his Ford Focus WRC, 52.9s behind McNulty, but because none of the Irish drivers were registered for the BRC, maximum points in the title race went to Welsh-based Manxman Mark Higgins who finished fourth.

"It was a close call because we had problems at the end with the handbrake lever coming out," said Higgins, who won the 2005 Jim Clark and was making his debut in the TEG Sport 2006-spec Subaru Impreza.

Results 

1  Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey (Impreza WRC) 2.03.30.1
2  Gareth MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 2.04.27.0
3  Mark Higgins/Rory Kennedy (Impreza N) 2.07.57.0
4  Stuart Jones/Andy Bull (MG S2000) 2.10.23.0
5  David Higgins/Ieuan Thomas (Impreza N) 2.11.04.7
6  James Wozencroft/Chris Ridge (Impreza N) 2.13.01.1
7  Jonny Greer/Jonny Hart (Lancer N) 2.13.20.2
8  Kevin & Martin Kelleher (Lancer N) 2.14.51.5
9  Wyn Humphreys/Rob Fagg (Impreza N) 2.17.56.7
10 Adam Gould/Seb Marshall (Clio) 2.18.26.8