Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy ready for start of World Rally Championship in Monte-Carlo

"Lining up in Casino Square will be a special moment, one I have dreamt of since childhood, so I just want to appreciate and enjoy that," said McErlean.

Drivers and co-drivers from the Rally1 category of the World Rally Championship in Monte-Carlo ahead of the season opening Rallye Monte-Carlo. Irish duo Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy are pictured fifth and fourth from right respectively. Picture: Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool .

As a new season of the World Rally Championship begins this Thursday evening with Rallye Monte-Carlo, the Irish pair of Kilrea's Josh McErlean and Killeagh's Eoin Treacy are pinching themselves at the reality that they are competing at the very top tier of the sport.

They will compete with the M-Sport World Rally team that also includes Luxemburg's Grégoire Munster and his Belgian co-driver Louis Louka.