Just 24
hours after his first match in charge, Phil Simmons,
the Ireland coach, has already lost his assistant,
Matt Dwyer, who resigned today.
"I'd originally intended to stay on a while
to give Phil a hand," Dwyer said, "but
with so many games coming up over the next few
weeks, I don't have the same enthusiasm or drive
that I feel Irish cricket needs at this time.
I suppose you could say I'm getting out now on
a high."
Dwyer, like most involved in Irish cricket, is
essentially an amateur; he, like many, has a full-time
occupation away from cricket: a roofing business
which he spent seven weeks away from during the
World Cup. The financial burden has proved too
heavy.
"I'd hoped to help Phil acclimatise, but
I suppose he's going to have to find out things
for himself now, rather than hearing second hand
about players from me," he said. "I
do wish him all the best in the job, and hope
he makes a great success of it. I'd like to thank
all the players I've worked with - their commitment
has been exemplary, and I'm proud to have been
associated with them."
Simmons took over as head coach after the World
Cup, following the departure of Adrian Birrell.