Meeke and McErlean in stacked Donegal Rally entry

Kris Meeke, a five-time winner in the World Rally Championship, and current Rally1 driver Josh McErlean headline a star-studded entry for the Donegal International Rally in June.

Meeke will make a sensational return to rallying in Ireland and will pilot a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 alongside Eoin Regan.

The 46-year-old, who has been a regular in the Portuguese Rally Championship since his last WRC season in 2019, has been testing ahead of the event, which will be his first Donegal Rally in 18 years.

McErlean, who is in his second season in the top tier of the WRC, will drive a M-Sport prepared Ford Fiesta Rally2 as he takes to the Donegal startline for the first time.

Alongside Noel O'Sullivan in a Skoda Fabia, Callum Devine is looking to win the rally for an unprecedented fourth time in a row.

Reigning British Rally champion William Creighton will be a podium contender in the Lancia Rally2 he will drive in the European Rally Championship, while Irish Tarmac Rally Championship leader Josh Moffett, David Kelly, ERC's Philip Allen and Wales' Meirion Evans will also likely be challenging at the front.

"When you get the chance to do Donegal, the answer is yes; then you figure out what you need to do to make it happen," said McErlean, who will drive in Donegal in between WRC rounds in Japan and Greece.

"The competition in Ireland is always incredibly strong, and Donegal is no different. The entry list is always packed with quality, and you know there are so many crews capable of fighting at the front," he said.

"Of course, there will naturally be some expectation around us going into the event, but honestly, I just want to enjoy the experience, the rally, the fans and being back competing on home soil again.

"It will also be really nice to showcase the Fiesta Rally2 at the event and thank you to M-Sport for the opportunity."

In the historic class, Isle of Man TT record holder Michael Dunlop is entered in a Ford Escort MKII for the event.

The rally takes place on the fast tarmac roads in Donegal from 19-21 June.

As well as the high-profile entries, the event will also make up the fifth round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.