Ireland will play host to next year's ICC Trophy where 12 lesser cricket nations will contest the last five places for the 2007 World Cup.
It is expected the tournament will be shared between Dublin and Belfast. Announcing the news at Clotarf CC this afternoon, the Minister for Sport, John O'Donoghue heaped praise on the Irish Cricket Union for securing the event.
"I wish to congratulate the ICU for its initiative in bidding for these championships," he said. "I have every confidence that Ireland will be perfect hosts and that next year's event will be the most successful to date."
The ICC Trophy gives the opportunity for countries in the second tier of cricket nations to qualify for the next World Cup in the West Indies. Recent winners of the Trophy include Bangladesh and Kenya.