DUBLIN, Ireland, CMC – Ireland coach Phil Simmons says he is delighted to be leading his side back to a World tournament in the Caribbean.

Simmons, a Trinidadian who played 26 Tests and 143 One-Day Internationals for West Indies, last weekend oversaw Ireland’s qualification for the ICC World Twenty20 Championship which bowls off in April in the Caribbean.

“It’s just brilliant to be leading a team at a World Cup in the West Indies. I know how proud and delighted I am, but that’s nothing compared to the joy of the team,” Simmons said.

“You only had to look at their reaction after we beat the Dutch to know how much it meant to the guys. I wasn’t in charge in 2007, so it’ll be good to be back on home soil and in charge of an international team on the world stage.”

Ireland made a huge impression on their last tour of the Caribbean for the Cricket World Cup three years ago, when they surprisingly reached the Super Eight, second round.

Playing in Jamaica, they drew with Zimbabwe before stunning Pakistan to qualify for the second stage where their only victory was against Bangladesh in Barbados.

Simmons, who has led Ireland since that event, said the team had been forced to overcome several obstacles in order to reach the T20 Championship.

“We keep losing players but we can replace them. You only have to look at how George Dockrell has taken to international cricket after we lost Kyle (McCallan) and Regan West,” said the 46-year-old Simmons.

“He’s been just brilliant and it’s incredible to think that he’s just 17 years old – he’s a real natural. We keep producing young players and that’s great for Irish cricket.”

Ireland will be making their second successive trip to the World T20 Championship, after competing in last year’s event in England.

They will clash with West Indies and England in Group D carded for Guyana, in the tournament that runs from April 30 to May 16.