Latvala dominated the opening stage before his exit on stage two

Finland's Jari-Matti Latvala was an early casualty on the opening morning of Rally Ireland.

The Ford driver won the first stage by almost 18 seconds but he exited on stage two after suffering two punctures and a broken drive shaft.

Latvala will be able to rejoin the event under super rally rules but he his hopes of a podium finish are over.

Estonia's Urmo Aava leads five-time world champion Sebastien Loeb by 6.7 seconds after three stages.

Latvala's Ford team-mate Mikko Hirvonen was 30.9secs behind Aava after three stages with Loeb's Citroen team-mate Dani Sordo fourth at 39.9secs.

Ireland's former world production champion Niall McShea had produced a super opening stage to lie third but engine trouble saw him exiting after stage while in fifth place.

Like Latvala, McShea has the option of rejoining the event on day two.

Loeb had produced a hesitant opening stage in the slippery conditions as he trailed Latvala by 42 seconds but the Frenchman was fastest on stage two and he continued to chase down Aava.

Gareth McHale was the leading Irishman after three stages in seventh, a minute and 41 seconds off the pace, while another home hopeful Eamonn Boland was eighth (1.52.7).

Matthew Wilson was the leading Briton in ninth place (2.05.00) while Australia's Chris Atkinson (2.39.9) was in 12th.

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