The Wexford driver stormed through the opening five stages in 35 minutes, 23 seconds - a full hundred seconds faster than nearest challenger Steve Fleck.

Through Stage Four, Boland was 28 seconds faster than the next quickest time of Steve Fleck, while on Stage Five through Deerpark, it wasn't quite so pronounced - just a 16 second advantage this time over the cross-channel challenger over the ten mile stage.

Fleck was so upset with his times that he didn't hand in his time cards or visit the finish.

However, the defending champion is suffering from 80% power, as his Subaru has been suffering from sticking throttle troubles all day.

He told reporter Brian Patterson: "I'm not too perturbed that I've had to switch off the anti-lag system, but yet the throttle is still sticking open."

Jon Mercer's clearly enjoying his first visit to Wexford. He jumped to second after Stage Three, but saw his Metro 6R4's tyres begin to lose their edge - as a result, he slipped back to third as Fleck finally caught up with him.

Elsewhere, Welshman Gareth Lloyd enjoyed a spin on Stage Four when a handbrake manouvered gave him too much direction in his MkII Escort. However, he survived.

Jimmy Lambert's Escort, which just missed out on success in December's Lighthouse Rally last year when he crashed out as leader within yards of the finishing line, has suffered an oil leak, with fumes and smoke hindering his vision.

The Tipperary star faces a thirty second penalty after their alternator fell off in the first stage.

Leaders after Stage 5 - PROVISIONAL
   
 1 (001) Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey   Subaru WRC      35:23
 2 (016) Steve Fleck/Tim Neal             Subaru          37:03
 3 (009) Jon Mercer/Lyn Jenkins           Metro 6R4       37:06
 4 (155) Steve Hendy/Vanessa Cann         Escort Cosworth 37:42
 5 (012) Phil Henderson/Aled Davies       Metro 6R4       37:55
 6 (011) Johnny O'Sullivan/Pat Cashman    Escort WRC      38:01
 7 (018) Jimmy Lambert/James Coleman      Escort          38:15
 8 (010) Derek Smith/Darragh Cafferty     Escort          38:22
 9 (062) Jon Stangle/Paul Nagle           Darrian         38:25
10 (102) Trevor Culbert/James Glynn       Escort          38:30