O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Muckross co-driver Noel O’Sullivan is set for a busy season as he returns to the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) while also preparing for a record-breaking attempt on home soil.

O’Sullivan and driver Callum Devine have signed with the Swedish team JC Raceteknik for a full campaign focused on asphalt events. Their season begins this week at the Andalusia Rally – Sierra Morena in Spain. O’Sullivan remains the only Killarney-based co-driver competing at this level for a full season.
He brings significant international experience to the team, having previously worked with WRC driver Jon Armstrong during his early European outings. O’Sullivan and Devine recently proved their pace against top European crews with a fifth-place finish at the 2024 Rali Ceredigion in Wales.
Devine said:
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to the ERC. It’s always great for a driver to compete against Europe’s best on some iconic events. We’ve had great success back home in Ireland over the past few seasons, winning two Irish Tarmac Rally Championships, and we feel now is the right time to come back and take on some ERC events. Starting with Rally Sierra Morena, I’m delighted to be joining JC Raceteknik. I know they are a very professional team with a wealth of experience, and I’m looking forward to working closely with them.”
The European schedule will not interfere with O’Sullivan’s local plans. Following the rally in Spain, the pair will return to Kerry for the Rally of the Lakes over the May Bank Holiday weekend. They are aiming for a fifth consecutive victory in Killarney as they look to move back into the lead of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
The move to the European stage follows a successful week for O’Sullivan, who was recently named the International Motorsport winner at the Kerry Sports Star Awards.

Local stars sweep honours at Kerry Sports Awards

Muckross rally co-driver Noel O’Sullivan was named the Supreme Sports Star for 2025 as the Kerry Sports Awards made a major return to the social calendar last Saturday night.

Over 250 winners and guests attended the gala event at the Rose Hotel in Tralee, marking the end of a six-year hiatus for the ceremony.
Established by Ken O’Day in 2013, the awards recognise excellence across a wide range of disciplines, from elite international competition to local club volunteerism.
O’Sullivan was a popular recipient of the overall top prize following his success in the Iirsh Tarmac Rally Championship and his record run of four Rally of the Lakes wins in a row.
He led a strong contingent of Killarney winners, including Olympic hopeful Sarah Leahy, who took the athletics award after a season that saw her set a new Irish indoor record. Young boxing star Pa Casey and ‘Kingdom Warrior’ Kevin Cronin were also among those celebrated for their recent achievements in the ring.
GAA and multi-sport success
David Clifford was again named the top footballer, while Siofra O’Shea received the Ladies’ Football award. O’Shea, a prominent basketballer with Utility Trust St Paul’s, was the only Kerry player to make the 2025 TG4 All-Star team.
Damien Fleming of Deerpark accepted the pitch and putt award following his national championship wins and his role in Ireland’s European Team Championship victory. Dale McCarthy was honoured for his success in darts, while world-class jockey Oisín Murphy took the horse racing accolade.
Club and community recognition
The local impact of Killarney clubs was a recurring theme throughout the evening. Fossa and Kilcummin were both finalists for the Club Team of the Year award following their respective All-Ireland titles.
The night concluded with a standing ovation for Gneeveguilla’s Paddy O’Donoghue, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame. The honour recognised his decades of service as an athletics administrator and promoter in the Sliabh Luachra area.