By Martin Gough BBC Sport in Barbados

It's been a long journey, enjoyable and satisfying but the journey has come to an end Adrian Birrell

Ireland have ridden a wave at their first Cricket World Cup, through the big-name wickets taken by Boyd Rankin, the canny captaincy of Trent Johnston and the batting of Niall and Kevin O'Brien.

But the foundations to the success, which has seen them join the world's top sides in the Super 8 second round, were laid with the appointment of coach Adrian Birrell in 2002.

When the softly-spoken South African took the helm, Ireland were a mediocre, inconsistent side.

But now, thanks to Birrell's astute strategies and man-management, they are one of 12 teams in the official ICC world one-day rankings.

Birrell has good reason to feel satisfied in his last week in the job, as he will stand down after the match against Sri Lanka in Grenada this week.

"I'm looking forward to Wednesday - it's my last day of work and I'm ready for that," he said as his team were celebrating a famous victory over Bangladesh.

"Five years ago we were ranked below Denmark and now we're ahead of the associates, so it's very satisfying to know I've moved it forward that much."

606: DEBATE How do you rate Adrian Birrell's time with Ireland? Martin G

Birrell is clearly highly respected, and even loved by his charges, with captain Trent Johnston describing him as "one of the best motivators that I've been involved with".

Veteran vice-skipper Kyle McCallan became quite emotional when asked about Birrell's importance to the side.

"Anyone who knows him will tell you he is a very emotional guy, which is good for the team because he gets all 19 of our squad here, including management, behind him.

"What he has done in the last five years cannot be put into words," he said. "Adrian has left Irish cricket in a far better state than he found it.

"His legacy will hopefully take Irish cricket forward for the next 10 years."

Birrell, who made 45 first-class appearances for his home side Eastern Province, has engendered a one-for-all, all-for-one spirit in the Ireland team.

Birrell and Trent Johnston celebrate the win over Bangladesh

That has allowed a group of largely amateur players to perform at a far higher level than their individual abilities.

But his work away from the side has been equally important, using contacts in South Africa to hold professional training camps and tempting players like the Australian-born Johnston to join the cause.

He kept a level head even after the victory over Bangladesh, Ireland's second of the tournament after the group-stage win over Pakistan, but his emotions were just below the surface.

"I'm very proud of what we've achieved. We are tight and there's a wonderful team spirit," he said.

"There have been some hard decisions and tough times along the way.

"But the over-riding feeling is that we have made progress every year and certainly moved it forward in the last few weeks."

Birrell will hand over the reigns to former West Indies all-rounder Phil Simmons, whose first job will be to keep Ireland switched on through nine games in county cricket's Friends Provident Trophy.

Adrian Birrell, right, will be succeeded by Phil Simmons

The side have one-day international status until 2009, when they must qualify for the next World Cup through the ICC Trophy to retain it.

"I wouldn't say I am envious of Phil Simmons because he has big boots to fill," said McCallan, and Simmons is only too aware of that.

"He's done a lot for them," Simmons said of Birrell, "but the guys have been educated in a certain way and we can add to that and move on.

"He doesn't take indiscipline. When they practise they practise hard. He gives them a lot of downtime. It's nice to see I don't have to change too many things."

Birrell, 46, cited family pressure as one reason for stepping down from the job. He, wife Susan and their two children are to stay on in Ireland and he is to take on coaching consultancy work.

"It's been a great experience. The people have accepted me as one of their own," he added.

"It's been a long journey, enjoyable and satisfying but the journey has come to an end."