In a dramatic finale to the nine-round 2018 championship, O'Connell took this year's title in his showdown with Richard McGimpsey despite a late scare with driveshaft issues on the very final run, held at Knockagh, just north of Belfast. O'Connell needed to retain second position on the day to lift the title...but a spin by McGimpsey on his final run on one of Knockagh's tight hairpins meant the championship was assured.
It was a double celebration for O'Connell as he also won the prestigious Leaders Championship, which is based around the Class records on each Hill. Alan Jardine's BDA Escort gave it a real go at Knockagh to pip O'Connell for that title but Gerard needed only one run to secure the Leaders title as well. All this at the end of a season for O'Connell which included four overall podiums and an outright win at Eagle's Rock.
For an idea of the pace of the Millers Oils Northern Ireland Hillclimb Championship, ride on-board with O'Connell here, from earlier in the season at Craigantlet: