Tributes are being paid to tragic rally driver Eoin McCarthy who was fatally injured doing “what he loved” at a racing event.
The 22-year-old competitor’s car went off the road and crashed at the Killarney Forest Rally in Co Kerry on Sunday.
Eoin, from Dunmanway in Co Cork, was airlifted to Cork University Hospital after the collision on the day’s fourth stage at Mount Eagle in Castleisland.
However, the promising driver, who participated in his first Cork 20 Rally last year, succumbed to his injuries on Sunday night.
Eoin and his co-driver Daniel O’Brien, in his 30s and also from Co Cork, were competing in a Honda Civic.
Daniel was also taken to hospital following the crash where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Online rallying platform Onthe-Pacenote.ie paid tribute to Eoin on social media yesterday.
It posted a video of him after his first Cork 20 rally event and stated: “A quick chat we had with Eoin enjoying what he loved, on his first outing on the Cork 20 last year.
“He should have had a lifetime of stages ahead of him, condolences to his family and friends, RIP Eoin McCarthy.”
Local parish priest Fr John Collins said Mr McCarthy’s tragic death has left his parents “devastated” and the local community in shock. Neighbours Teresa and Alfie Dullea paid tribute to the young driver last night and said: “Eoin, I will miss you for a pint in Joe’s, you were a gas young man.
“Enjoyed the craic, loved life. Drive on Eoin, until we meet again.”
Eoin, who worked at a local window company, is the youngest son of Liam and Nora McCarthy from Kildee, a well-known family in rallying.
Dad Liam was an accomplished driver and over a 21-year period he landed three Fastnet wins, a Circuit of Munster victory and a West Cork Rally win. Eoin’s brother Conor also competes in rallying.
Meanwhile, a Motorsport Ireland spokesman said as the governing body for four-wheeled motorsport together with the event organisers and the relevant authorities, it has begun a full investigation into the circumstances of the accident.
He added: “The thoughts of everyone at Motorsport Ireland and within the wider motorsport community continue to be with Eoin McCarthy’s family and friends, his co-driver, the organisers of the event, and other members of the motorsport community who were present at the scene.”
Dermot Healy, clerk of the course, who stressed they had gone to great lengths to make the event as safe as possible for competitors, added: “It’s very sad for the man’s family and for the sport.”
