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Cricket Ireland has awarded six full-time contracts and increased funding for county players.

The extra cash will come from sponsors RSA Insurance, the Irish and British governments in the form of Sports Council funding, and the increased revenue from the International Cricket Council following World Cup qualification.

Trent Johnston, Alex Cusack, Andre Botha, Kevin O’Brien, John Mooney and Paul Stirling will each be given the backing to allow them to focus on training and preparations for next year’s World Cup.

In addition to the six ‘A’ contracts, three players employed by English county sides – William Porterfield, Niall O’Brien and Boyd Rankin – and schoolteacher Andrew White will receive support through ‘B’ contracts.

The remaining category ‘C’ players will vie for the other five places on offer ahead of the 2011 World Cup.

Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom said: “We are delighted to be able to increase the number of our contracted players from two to six. Together with our county-contracted players, that brings to 10 the number of Irish cricketers playing and training on a professional basis.”