Recently retired Ireland captain Trent Johnston will remain at the heart of the country’s international cricket operation after accepting a new dual role.
The 39-year-old will take charge of the Ireland women’s team and also become fast-bowling coach at the recently formed National Academy.
On Friday, Johnston signed off a 198-cap international career spanning two ICC World Cups and three ICC World Twenty20s as Ireland beat Afghanistan by 122 runs to lift the ICC Intercontinental Cup.
Warm tributes were paid after he lifted the trophy and the likeable all-rounder is now relishing the next phase of his career.
"It's very exciting and a great honour to be given these new challenges by Cricket Ireland," said Johnston, who takes over the women's role from Jeremy Bray. "It's certainly a new chapter in my life and one I'm looking forward to immensely."
"I'm on a two-year deal to coach the Ireland Women, and it'll be a baptism of fire as we're taking part in a tri-series in Qatar in January with South Africa and Pakistan.
"That's followed by Ireland's first T20 finals in Bangladesh. It's going to be tough because we'll be the only Associate Member there, but I wouldn't have it any other way.”
On his role in guiding Ireland’s next generation of pacemen, Johnston added: "It's a great job fit for me and it'll be great helping shape the future of Irish cricket."
“I'm going to be busy as I'm also keeping my role as Leinster Lightning coach. I'll be surrounded by good people and I'm certainly going to take advice from those around me.”