The Dubliner, who slipped to fourth in the series, made a late dash for the runner-up spot and increased his chances with second place in the penultimate round.

In a tense final race, he came from fourth place to edge out the opposition on the last lap and take the chequered flag.

Eugene Donnelly, who has already won the Dunlop National Rally Championship and the Northern Ireland Rally Championship, won the Motorsport International Show Rallysprint at Punchestown.

Kenny McKinstry led after yesterday’s three runs but decided not to contest today’s final leg of three

timed runs.

Donnelly maintained a slim lead over outgoing Dunlop champion, Niall Maguire, who finished second.

Third place went to Ollie O’Donovan in his McKinstry hired Subaru WRC with Kevin Barrett fourth.

Johnny O’Sullivan (Escort WRC) was fifth.

1. E. Donnelly (Subaru WRC) 14m. 15.75s.

2. N. Maguire (Subaru WRC) 14m. 16.97s.

3. O. O'Donovan (Subaru WRC) 14m. 26.39s.

4. K. Barrett (Subaru WRC) 14m. 37.78s.

5. J. O'Sullivan (Escort WRC) 14m. 50.35s.

6. D. James (Escort) 15m. 07.76s.

7. D. McLaughlin (Peugeot) 15m. 17.36s.

8. D. Loughran (Mitsubishi) 15m. 26.98s.

9. P. Bonnar (Escort) 15m. 32.02s.

10. T. Harding (Escort Cosworth) 15m. 53.91s.

Northern Ireland co-drivers dominated the Group N category of the Tour of Corsica.

Michael Gibson partnered Mark Higgins to victory over the all Northern Ireland crew of Niall McShea/Chris Patterson.

Trevor Agnew, also from Northern Ireland accompanied Martin Rowe to fourth place, which was enough for championship victory.

The Ireland team of Eamonn Byrne (Mini Special), Chris Grimes (Mini Saloon), James Pringle (Opel Corsa) and Simon Echlin (Westfield) finished second to England at the Ken Wharton International Autotest event in Alcester, in Warwickshire.

Cavan driver, Mervyn Wedlock (Escort) topped the 101 drivers at the Cavan Autocross while Cork’s, Gerard Lucey (Special) won the Tipperary Autocross at Rosegreen.