On course for the top
Craig Rahill and Conor Smith have quietly emerged as two of the most exciting young figures in Irish motorsport.
Still only at the beginning of their careers, the Cavan duo have already climbed onto the international stage and, by the close of 2025, had established themselves among the brightest prospects in European rallying. Their progress over the last 18 months has been remarkable, culminating in confirmation that they would compete in the 2026 Junior World Rally Championship, one of the most important development series in the sport.
For Rahill, from Bailieborough, the rise has been rapid. He only began rallying competitively in 2022 in a Mk2 Ford Escort but his talent was immediately obvious. By his second season, Rahill was collecting victories in Class 11 before making the switch from rear-wheel drive machinery into a Rally4 Ford Fiesta.
Alongside him almost every step of the way has been Drung native Conor Smith. At 27, Smith has become one of the most highly-rated young co-drivers in the country. Rallying is built on trust and the Rahill-Smith partnership has developed into one of the strongest pairings in Irish motorsport.
Their breakthrough season came in 2025 on the Junior European Rally Championship circuit. Competing against many of Europe’s best young crews, Rahill and Smith finished third overall in the championship, gaining invaluable experience across different surfaces and conditions while proving they could consistently compete at the front.
The defining moment of their year arrived in August at the Barum Czech Rally Zlín.
Driving a Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 for the first time, the pair produced a stunning display to claim their maiden Junior ERC victory.
Rahill later described the victory as “a dream come true” and it was easy to understand why. In rallying terms, Barum is one of the sport’s iconic events and to win there, particularly against such opposition, announced the Cavan pair as genuine prospects on the international stage.
Motorsport Ireland confirmed its backing for the duo’s step up into the 2026 Junior WRC. Junior WRC is regarded as one of the key proving grounds for future WRC drivers and the opportunity alone reflects the regard in which Rahill and Smith are now held.
Rahill himself acknowledged that 2026 would be about learning, building experience and measuring themselves against the best young rally talent in the world. Even so, their rise already stands as one of the great Cavan sporting stories of recent years.Craig Rahill and Conor Smith have quietly emerged as two of the most exciting young figures in Irish motorsport.
Still only at the beginning of their careers, the Cavan duo have already climbed onto the international stage and, by the close of 2025, had established themselves among the brightest prospects in European rallying. Their progress over the last 18 months has been remarkable, culminating in confirmation that they would compete in the 2026 Junior World Rally Championship, one of the most important development series in the sport.
For Rahill, from Bailieborough, the rise has been rapid. He only began rallying competitively in 2022 in a Mk2 Ford Escort but his talent was immediately obvious.
By his second season, Rahill was collecting victories in Class 11 before making the switch from rear-wheel drive machinery into a Rally4 Ford Fiesta. Many drivers struggle with such a transition but Rahill adapted seamlessly, continuing to impress with his pace, maturity and ability to read difficult stages.
Alongside him almost every step of the way has been Drung native Conor Smith. At 27, Smith has become one of the most highly-rated young co-drivers in the country, combining calmness, precision and experience beyond his years. Rallying at elite level is built on trust between driver and co-driver and the Rahill-Smith partnership has developed into one of the strongest young pairings in Irish motorsport.
Their breakthrough season came in 2025 on the Junior European Rally Championship circuit. Competing against many of Europe’s best young crews, Rahill and Smith finished third overall in the championship, gaining invaluable experience across different surfaces and conditions while proving they could consistently compete at the front.
The defining moment of their year arrived in August at the Barum Czech Rally Zlín.
Driving a Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 for the first time, the pair produced a stunning display to claim their maiden Junior ERC victory. Rahill built the challenge intelligently through the opening stages before taking control of the rally and dominating on Sunday with a series of fastest stage times. In the end, they won by almost 36 seconds over Norway’s Karl Peder Nordstrand.
Rahill later described the victory as “a dream come true” and it was easy to understand why. In rallying terms, Barum is one of the sport’s iconic events and to win there, particularly against such opposition, announced the Cavan pair as genuine prospects on the international stage.
That momentum carried into the closing months of the year when Motorsport Ireland confirmed its backing for the duo’s step up into the 2026 Junior WRC.
It represents a massive step forward in their careers and places them on the pathway followed by some of Ireland’s top rally talents in recent years. Junior WRC is regarded as one of the key proving grounds for future World Rally Championship drivers and the opportunity alone reflects the regard in which Rahill and Smith are now held.
Importantly, both remain grounded and realistic about the challenge ahead. Rahill himself acknowledged that 2026 would be about learning, building experience and measuring themselves against the best young rally talent in the world.
Even so, their rise already stands as one of the great Cavan sporting stories of recent years.