The top six Associates that will compete in the 2009-10 Intercontinental Cup have been confirmed and it now remains to be seen whether Bermuda will join them.

The ICC's Development Committee is expected to meet in the "very near future" to determine which two teams in the World Cricket League, Division Two (Bermuda, Uganda, United Arab Emirates and Namibia) will join the likes of Canada, Ireland, Kenya, the Netherlands, Afghanistan and Scotland in the four-day, eight-team competition tentatively slated to commence in either May or June of this year.

Bermuda, who reached the semi-finals of the 2005 Intercontinental Cup, were relegated to Division Two after losing their One-Day international (ODI) status and failing to qualify for the 2011 World Cup in South Africa earlier this month.

The Islanders failed to reach the Super Eight after going down to United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Kenya and Afghanistan – who were the sixth and final team to be awarded ODI status until 2013 – during the group stage of the competition.

Bermuda eventually finished ninth overall to secure ICC High Performance Programme funding for the next two years as well as $350,000 for placing among the top ten Associates in South Africa.

The ICC World Cup Qualifiers, formerly referred to as the ICC Trophy, incorporate Divisions One and Two of the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League and are the gateway for the top Associate and Affiliate teams into the world's premier one-day tournament.

Bermuda finished runners-up during the 1982 ICC Trophy and in 2005 qualified for a maiden World Cup under coach Gus Logie.

Meanwhile, Bermuda's old foes Ireland wrapped up overall victory in the Qualifiers in South Africa yesterday, thumping Canada by nine wickets in the final at Centurion Park, Pretoria.

The Irish dismissed Canada for 185 and responded with 188 for one, William Porterfield smashing an unbeaten century and Trent Johnston producing a captain's performance with five for 14.

Johnston, whose nagging seamers cut through Canada with career-best figures, and Porterfield, who made a 104 not out, justified Ireland's standing as the number one Associate team.

Eighteen days ago Porterfield stamped his and Ireland's mark on the tournament with a brutal 101 to beat Scotland. A little under three weeks later, he finished with another beautifully crafted and dominant innings.

Chasing Canada's meagre total, he and Gary Wilson were solid and assured, laying down a base on which to launch their chase later in the innings. Wilson took advantage of anything short – there was plenty. He fell for a well-made 38, spooning to third-man, but Porterfield and Niall O'Brien then took total command.

A fierce slap past point brought up Porterfield's fifty from 80 balls and the milestone prompted his charge against Sunil Dhaniram, who bowled far too short. The firmest of off-drives brought him a boundary, followed by an elegant pick-up over long-on as Ireland reduced the chase to nothing more than stroll in the park against a tired team already thinking of flying home.

Porterfield aside, it was Johnston who really set up Ireland's convincing win with an outstanding display of swing and seam. His introduction in the ninth over from the West Lane end completely turned the match around and, with his sixth ball, he had Rizwan Cheema edging to Kevin O'Brien at first slip. In his next over, he trapped Ashish Mulla leg-before with one that skidded through low and Canada were tottering on 69 for three from which they slumped to 88 for six.

Although Ireland were well on top, Umar Bhatti added 46 to at least help Canada post a total resembling competitiveness.

O' Brien hit Ireland's winning runs with 7.3 overs to spare.

n Ireland's coaching staff imposed an alcohol ban on the team at the start of the tournament, even randomly breathalysing some of the players.

Yesterday's full results

Ireland d Canada

by nine wickets

Canada 185 all out (48.0 overs), Ireland 188-1 (42.3 overs)

Netherlands d Kenya

by 6 wickets

Kenya 179 all out (43.1 overs), Netherlands 183-4 (32.1 overs)

Afghanistan d Scotland

by 89 runs

Afghanistan 295-8 (50.0 overs), Scotland 206 all out (40.0 overs)

UAE beat Namibia

by 4 wickets

Namibia 267-9 (50.0 overs), UAE 269-6 (41.3 overs)