Cricket Ireland has announced a 15-man squad for the upcoming tour of Kenya.
The tour will include the third round of the ICC Intercontinental Cup four-day match, two World Cup qualifying ODIs as part of the ICC 50-over League, and three T20Is, which will serve as preparation for the upcoming ICC World T20 qualifiers.
The selectors have also announced a provisional squad of 17 players - subject to the ICC approving all player eligibility as is standard - for the ICC World T20 Qualifier in UAE.
A final squad of 14 will be selected from this by 12 February. This squad will also participate in a warm-up preparation camp in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
In announcing the squads, national coach Phil Simmons commented: "It's a strong squad with the majority of the players having served us so well over the past few years [13 of the 17 players named were in the 2011 World Cup squad].
"Max Sorensen and James Shannon are the only ones who haven't played at senior level, but they're both exciting talents whom I'm sure will acquit themselves well if needed.
"Rory McCann came in when Niall O'Brien and Gary Wilson were unavailable during the World Cricket League in 2010, and performed well behind the stumps, helping us win that tournament with an unbeaten record."
He added: "There were difficult matters for the selectors to discuss regarding Niall O'Brien's availability.
"They took on board Niall's offer to play in only the ODIs in Kenya, join the squad for part of the South Africa camp, and then the ICC World T20 qualifier.
"However, the selectors remained consistent to their principle, regarding that all players must be available for all parts of the tour.
"Niall was not able to make himself available for the whole tour and therefore the selectors have decided not to select him for any part of the tour including the ICC World T20 qualifier.
"We are only selecting for this tour and the next selection will be for the RSA Challenge ODI versus Australia in June; at that point they will consider all available players.
"Niall has communicated that he still wishes to play for Ireland and the selectors will take that into consideration when they next meet."
The selectors also discussed Middlesex player Tim Murtagh.
Following consultation with ICC, he is unavailable for selection until his Irish passport has been processed, although the formalities of his Irish citizenship have been confirmed.
However, Cricket Ireland has clarified that should the selectors wish to bring Murtagh into the final squad of 14 for the ICC World T20 qualifier that remains an option, assuming his passport has arrived before the ICC deadline of 12 February.
The squads in full are as follows:
Ireland squad to tour Kenya.
William Porterfield (Warwickshire) (captain), Alex Cusack (Clontarf), George Dockrell (Somerset), Trent Johnston (Railway Union), Nigel Jones (CSN)*, Ed Joyce (Sussex), John Mooney (North County), Rory McCann (Instonians), Kevin O'Brien (Railway Union), Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire), Max Sorensen (The Hills), Paul Stirling (Middlesex), Albert van der Merwe* (YMCA), Andrew White (Instonians), Gary Wilson (Surrey).
*Albert van der Merwe will only play in the Intercontinental Cup match and Nigel Jones will join the squad from 15 February to take part in the ODIs and T20s.
Ireland squad for training camp in South Africa and ICC World T20 qualifier in the UAE.
William Porterfield (Warwickshire) (captain), Alex Cusack (Clontarf), George Dockrell (Somerset), Trent Johnston (Railway Union), Nigel Jones (CSN), Ed Joyce (Sussex), John Mooney (North County), Rory McCann (Instonians), Kevin O'Brien (Railway Union), Andrew Poynter (Clontarf), Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire), James Shannon (Instonians), Max Sorensen (The Hills), Paul Stirling (Middlesex), Albert van der Merwe (YMCA), Andrew White (Instonians), Gary Wilson (Surrey).
Ireland fixtures and itinerary are as follows:
Kenya (Intercontinental Cup) 12-15 February.
Kenya (ODI's) 18 & 20 February.
Kenya (T20's) 22, 23, 24 February.
South Africa training camp (25 February - 10 March).
UAE (ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers) (11-24 March)
