Adrian Birrell was preparing for an emotional day as he takes charge of Ireland for the last time before returning to his native South Africa.

IRELAND are determined to shake off the effects of an untimely virus to give coach Adrian Birrell the “send-off” he deserves for overseeing their surprisingly successful World Cup campaign.

IRELAND cricket coach Adrian Birrell is proud of his legacy after guiding his team from associate also-rans to a fully-fledged one-day team.

IRELAND coach Adrian Birrell will look to his Australian-born captain Trent Johnston to fight fire with fire when the World Cup debutants clash with Ricky Ponting’s defending champions here today.

PAKISTAN assistant coach Mushtaq Ahmed has become the first member of the World Cup party to appear before a performance evaluation committee.

South Africa coach Micky Arthur insists his side will not under-estimate Ireland after suffering a scare against the World Cup minnows in a warm-up match last month.

COACH Adrian Birrell had prepared to say his farewells to Irish cricket for the end of the group stages, but now gets the dream chance to coach a side against his native South Africa tomorrow.

IRELAND coach Adrian Birrell believes his side have not been given the credit they deserve for their World Cup exploits and is plotting a Super-Eight upset against South Africa today.

Coach Adrian Birrell prepared his farewells to Irish cricket for the group stages but gets the dream chance to coach a side against his native South Africa tomorrow.

Ireland can expect a West Indies blitz when the two sides meet at Sabina Park later today.

IRELAND coach Adrian Birrell has warned West Indies that his side will be looking to repeat their stunning success over Pakistan when the sides meet at Sabina Park today in the final Group D match.

Ireland coach Adrian Birrell has warned West Indies that his side will be looking to repeat their stunning success over Pakistan when the sides meet at Sabina Park on Friday in the final Group D match.

IRELAND coach Adrian Birrell will be looking to put the lessons of his side’s warm-up matches to good use during the next few weeks of the World Cup in the Caribbean.

Canada cricket coach Andy Pick hopes victory over a tough Ireland side will send his team into the World Cup in confident mood.

IRELAND coach Adrian Birrell hopes his side will go into the World Cup on the back of a morale-boosting warm-up win over Canada.

IRELAND’S top cricket official has defended the right of the Irish team and five other non-Test playing nations, to compete in next month’s World Cup in the Caribbean.

Ireland coach Adrian Birrell is looking forward to the “huge challenge” the country’s involvement in the World Cup will provide.

Ireland coach Adrian Birrell admits it will be difficult for Ireland to pick themselves up after the defeat by Kenya saw their chances of reaching the ICC World Cricket League Division One final evaporate.

Friday’s meeting of Kenya and Ireland is a crucial one for both teams, but Ireland will feel their entire ICC World Cricket League Division 1 campaign could hinge on the result.

Ireland’s preparations for the ICC World Cricket League in Nairobi could not have gone better, according to wicketkeeper-batsman Niall O’Brien.

IRISH cricket officials are toying with the idea of offering semi-professional contracts to the national side as they embark on a greatly expanded programme in 2006 and 2007, culminating with the World Cup in the West Indies.

Adrian Birrell's Ireland are to open their Group D account at the 2007 Cricket World Cup against Zimbabwe.

Two members of a three-strong gang who lurked outside a bank until it closed and then tried to push and kick their way in have been jailed by Judge Yvonne Murphy at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

IRELAND coasted to a five-wicket victory against a gutsy Scottish outfit to keep their dreams of being crowned European champions alive.

Ireland put up a brave fight against Australia but ultimately fell 49 runs short after a spirited run chase against the reigning ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup champions in Chittagong at the U19 World Cup at Bangladesh.

Ireland came within six runs of creating a major upset against the West Indies in Khulna at the Under 19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh..

South African Adrian Birrell is to become Ireland’s full-time national coach and take over the responsibility for the development of Irish cricket.