The Wexfordian has a 1'53" advantage over Steve Hendy, with Bob Fowden a further fifteen seconds back.

John Price and Tim Ball lie fourth and fifth, with David James flying back in sixth - who knows what the Fethard Rally winner can achieve tomorrow!

Leaderboard - after eight stages 

 1 Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey   44:49
 2 Steve Hendy/Mark Milton          46:42
 3 Bob Fowden/Jerry Hynes           46:57
 4 John Price/Caroline Price        47:29
 5 Tim Ball                         48:01
 6 David James/Jim Crowe            48:04
 7 Shay Power/Martin Croke          48:13
 8 Aaron MacHale/Elva Rowe          48:19
 9 Ger Molloy                       48:23 
10 Derek Smith/Pat Flanagan         48:38