Phil Simmons and Trent Johnston with Philip Smith of RSA

Cricket Ireland has announced that it has secured a extension of RSA Insurance's sponsorship of the country's national teams.

RSA, formerly known as Royal & SunAlliance Insurance, sponsored the men's team as well as the A, Under-19 and women's national sides this year.

The deal has now been extended for a further three years.

"We are delighted to cement our partnership," said Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom.

RSA Ireland chief executive Philip Smith added:"We were delighted to have been associated with Cricket Ireland and the National cricket teams over the past season.

"Now, following progressive discussions, we are happy to extend our relationship for a further three years.

"Cricket Ireland and the National Cricket teams have, in recent years, demonstrated their ambition and potential and their participation in major tournaments and feature matches against some of the leading cricketing countries is now the norm.

"In 2007 the senior national team squad captured the nation's attention with their stunning performance in the Cricket World Cup.

"In 2008, the success story has continued and includes being crowned European Champions and qualifying for next year's ICC World Twenty20 tournament in England."

The RSA representative also praised "the strategic direction and professional structures being developed and implemented by Cricket Ireland".

Deutrom said that partnership would extend "beyond what we hope will be Ireland's participation in the 2011 World Cup in Asia".

"This is a tangible vote of confidence not just in what our talented players have achieved on the pitch, but what the management and Board of Cricket Ireland have begun to create off it," he added.

"With competitive fixtures against England in 2009, 2011 and 2013, against Australia in 2010, a partnership with Jamaican Cricket and participation in the ICC World Twenty20 Cup in England next year, we are confident that we will help RSA see a quick return on their investment."