CRICKET: Phil Simmons will officially start as the new Ireland coach at the end of the ICC World Cup. After protracted salary negotiations with the Irish Cricket Union, the 43-year-old former West Indies Test player has been given a two-year contract, running to 2009.

There is an option covering two more years should Ireland qualify for the 2011 World Cup.

Simmons will take over from South African Adrian Birrell who retires after the event in the Caribbean next month.

He was first linked to the role in November, when he was the outstanding candidate from a three-man short list for the job.