Ireland’s most decorated rally navigator Paul Nagle has announced his retirement from co-driving in the World Rally Championship.

The Killarney and District Motor Club member will hang up his helmet after Rally de Espana later this month.

The 44-year-old recently celebrated his 100th WRC start at the Acropolis Rally in Greece and took to social media to announce he will be bowing out following this 102nd event in Spain, where he incidentally made his top-flight debut alongside fellow Irishman Donie O’Sullivan back in 2004.

“It’s has been one hell of a rollercoaster and the memories and friends I made will last a life time,” wrote Nagle on his Facebook page.

“Big thank you to everyone who followed us around the world over the last 20 years. To my family and friends and especially my wife Cathy, thank you for being there for all of it, in the good days and bad. Ye [sic] always had my back.”

 “To Craig [Breen] and Kris [Meeke], thank you both for making the dream happen. We have made amazing memories.”

It was alongside Meeke that Nagle had his most starts and subsequently most success in the WRC. Teaming up back in 2011 for a part-programme in the Mini WRC Team, the pair then went on to drive for Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT for five seasons beginning in 2014, recording five victories and a further eight podiums.

Since 2019, Nagle has been on the notes for Craig Breen, recording four podiums through a part-programme for Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT across three seasons, before a move to M-Sport Ford this season where the duo picked up another two podiums.

Craig Breen is expected to announce his co-driver for Forum8 Rally Japan, the final round on the 2022 calendar, in the coming days.