After the opening loop, Boland has completed the first section in 25 minutes, 48 seconds - 58 seconds clear of Steve Hendy, with Bob Fowden a further half-minute back.

John Price and wife Caroline lie fourth, twelve seconds down on the podium positions.

Fifth is Shay Power, with David James a plucky sixth and Aaron MacHale proving himself a chip off the old block in seventh.

Leaderboard - after four stages

 1 Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey   25:48
 2 Steve Hendy/Mark Milton          26:46
 3 Bob Fowden/Jerry Hynes           27:16
 4 John Price/Caroline Price        27:28
 5 Shay Power/Martin Croke          27:34
 6 David James/Jim Crowe            27:52
 7 Aaron MacHale/Elva Rowe          27:59
 8 Kieran Molloy/Brian Boland       28:06
 9 Derek Smith/Pat Flanagan         28:07
10 Martin O'Connell/Ger Healy       28:11
11 Tom Holton/Ron Guha              28:27