Meanwhile, Niall Maguire/Enda Sherry (Subaru) took third, some 13 seconds further adrift having lost considerable time with a puncture on the sixth stage.

Victory in the Group N category went to Kevin Kelleher/Paddy Robinson (Mitsubishi).

Trevor Mulligan/Lisa Roe (Ford Escort) were the top two-wheel drive exponents.

Elliott was quickly in the groove and despite the slippery conditions, he gleamed a respective 15 and 10 seconds from the first two stages where Niall Maguire, also in a Subaru, was his closest rival.

Indeed, it remained that way all day until Maguire punctured and lost well over 90 seconds on Stage 6.

That allowed Jim Harrison move into second.

Elliott ran out a convincing winner with Harrison and Maguire completing the podium line-up.

Kevin Barrett (Subaru WRC) overcame suspension difficulties en-route to fourth.

In the quest for Group N honours, Garry Jennings led initially until a throttle sensor problem brought his demise.

Thomas Fitzmaurice held sway for a stage until Kevin Kelleher took over and went on to finish 49 seconds ahead of Anthony O'Halloran.

Brian O'Mahony seemed set to win the two-wheel drive category, he even overcame a time loss when he spun his Renault Clio between the Tipperary hedges.

Just when it appeared he had done enough, he ran out of petrol on the final stage leaving Trevor Mulligan win the category.

1. P. Elliott/P. Goodman (Subaru WRC) 1h. 16m. 27s.

2. J. Harrison/H. Bell (Subaru WRC) 1h. 18m. 46s.

3. N. Maguire/E. Sherry (Subaru WRC) 1h. 18m. 59s.

4. K. Barrett/S. Mullally (Subaru WRC) 59m. 38s.

5. K. Kelleher/P. Robinson (Mitsubishi) 1h. 20m. 52s.

6. A. O'Halloran/C. McHenry (Mitsubishi) 1h. 21m. 41s.

7. T. Fitzmaurice/F. Foley (Mitsubishi) 1h. 22m. 26s.

8. S. Flanagan/B. Miller (Subaru) 1h. 22m. 31s.

9. T. Mulligan/L. Roe (Ford Escort) 1h. 22m. 58s.

10. E. Daly/A. O'Connaill (Mitsubishi) 1h. 23m. 26s.

Championship Positions after round 1:

1. P. Elliott 20 pts.

2. N. Maguire 18 pts.

3. K. Barrett 16 pts.

4. K. Kelleher 14 pts.