Local driver, Liam McCarthy, in a Toyota Corolla WRC, is almost two minutes adrift in second and over a minute ahead of the Subaru WRC of Welsh driver, Melvyn Evans.

O’Sullivan led from the start and immediately opened up a gap of 13 seconds over McCarthy.

Another West Cork driver, Denis Cronin, brought his Toyota Celica ST185 into third place and held the position until he retired on the road section to the fifth stage.

Top seed, Mel Evans had a disappointing day. He languished in the bottom half of the top 10 as his

Subaru WRC developed suspension problems.

At the half way stage today, O’Sullivan led McCarthy by some 36 seconds with Cronin in third. The Mark II Escort of Phil Collins slotted into fourth - a few fleeting seconds ahead of top Group N driver, Kieran O’Callaghan from Rosscarbery.

His Mitsubishi was over 20 seconds ahead of the N9 Subaru of Willie Fannin, who was seventh in overall classification behind the disappointed Evans.

The top 10 was completed by the Escort WRC of Johnny O’Sullivan, Steve Fleck (Subaru) and Gwyndaf Evans (Escort).

On today’s final four stages, O’Sullivan powered through and duly extended his lead over McCarthy, who lost over 30 seconds with an overshoot.

Evans came through to third followed by Collins and O’Callaghan.

Tomorrow’s second leg features a further eight stages around Clonakilty.

1. Donie O’Sullivan (Ford Focus WRC 1h. 13m. 00.9s.

2. Liam McCarthy (Toyota Corolla WRC) 1h. 14m. 51.2s.

3. Mel Evans (Subaru WRC) 1h. 15m. 44.7s.

4. Phil Collins (Escort) 1h. 15m. 59.8s.

5. Kieran O’Callaghan (Mitsubishi Evo 5) 1h. 16m.08.9s.

6. J.J. Fleming (Subaru WRC) 1h. 16m. 19.1s.

7. Willie Fannin (Subaru N9) 1h. 16m. 48.7s.

8. J. O’Sullivan (Escort WRC) 1h. 17m. 12.1s.

9. S. Fleck (Subaru WRC) 1h. 17m. 24.2s.

10. N. Hicklin (Subaru WRC) 1h. 18m. 00.7s.