Cork driver Denis Cronin and co-driver Helen O’Sullivan were third in their Subaru WRC.

It was a day of contrasting fortunes for the Dunlop title contenders as Kevin Lynch became the first major retirement, crashing on the fourth stage.

Jim Harrison took an early lead, before a spirited comeback by Breen saw him enjoy a slender three second advantage at the half way mark. A crash on stage six later ended Harrison’s rally.

Breen entered the final two stages with a 27 second lead over the Corolla of Charlie Donnelly with Cronin in third, before taking victory by 20 seconds.

Noel Redmond also crashed his Subaru WRC on the penultimate stage.

Although he claimed it wasn’t one of his better days, Patrick Elliott (Subaru) outclassed Kevin Barrett to take fourth place.

The Escort Cosworth of Richie Curran was sixth as road penalties dropped Niall Maguire to seventh spot.

The battle for Group N honours went down to the final stages with Alan Ring (Subaru), who led from the start, being denied victory on a tie break. Series leader Willie Fannin (Subaru) was fastest on the final stage to claim the category win.

The top two wheel drive performers were James Coleman and Eoin O’Neill.

Result:

1. R. Breen/A. Purcell (Ford Focus WRC) 57m. 49s.

2. C. Donnelly/P. Toner (Toyota Corolla WRC) 58m. 09s.

3. D. Cronin/H. O’Sullivan (Subaru WRC) 59m. 01s.

4. P. Elliott/D. Moynihan (Subaru WRC) 59m. 26s.

5. K. Barrett/B. Goodman (Subaru WRC) 1h. 00m. 00s.

6. R. Curran/G. English (Escort Cosworth) 1h. 00m. 29s.

7. N Maguire/P. McLaughlin (Subaru WRC) 1h. 01m. 02s.

8. W. Fannin/M. Courtney (Subaru) 1h. 1h. 01m. 16s.

9. A. Ring/D. Brannigan (Subaru) 1h. 01m. 16s.

10. M. Curran/F. McShane (Mitsubishi) 1h. 01m. 54s.

Dunlop Championship Positions (Provisional after Round 5):

1. R. Breen 78 points.

2. C. Donnelly 65 points.

3. P. Elliott 63 points.

4. K. Lynch 58 Points.

5. J. Harrison 56 points.

6. N. Maguire & K. Barrett 51 points.