Waterford's Mickey Joe Morrisey claims WRC Masters Cup Co-Driver award

The other all-Irish crew of Kilrea’s Josh McErlean and his Cavan co-driver James Fulton suffered a huge disappointment on the opening stage of Saturday’s second leg.

WRC MASTERS CUP AWARD: Waterford’s Mickey Joe Morrissey, affectionately known in WRC circles as “MJ” - clinched the WRC Masters Cup Co-Driver’s title on the FORUM8 Rally Japan. Picture: Predrag Vuckovic/Red Bull Content Pool.

The final title in this year’s World Rally Championship that concluded with the FORUM8 Rally Japan was won by Waterford co-driver Mickey Joe Morrisey, who captured the WRC Masters Cup Co-Driver award. Affectionately known in World Rally circles as “MJ” Morrissey (76) who was co-driving with Wexford’s Eamonn Boland in their Hertz liveried Ford Fiesta Rally2, finished sixth in the WRC Masters Cup category and twenty-sixth in overall classification, despite collecting a thirty minute penalty for a timing infringement on Friday.

Morrissey won the title by a margin of three points from Italian co-driver Flavio Zanella. Afterwards, a delighted Morrissey said, “I’m absolutely thrilled to win the title and it's been a privilege co-driving with Eamonn (Boland). We enjoy our rallying that has taken us all over the world. Age is only a number and I'm already looking forward to another season that is only just around the corner in January, but we have to party tonight and enjoy this. We had no issues with the car. Rally Japan is an event where you have to be consistent and stay out of trouble, which thankfully, we did. This title is great and I want to thank all the people that have sent me messages of congratulations since I won it earlier today.”