Ed Joyce to step down as Ireland Women's head coach

Ireland Women’s head coach, Ed Joyce, has decided to step down from the role at the end of his current contract, which is after the conclusion of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Pakistan in April.

Joyce, 46, was appointed as the Women’s permanent head coach in September 2019, after a three-month period as the interim coach following the departure of Aaron Hamilton. He has overseen one of the greatest periods of transformation in Irish women’s cricket over the last six years, and will end his tenure with a last shot at qualifying for a 50-over World Cup – an achievement that has eluded Ireland Women since 2005.

To date, Ireland Women have played 97 times during Joyce’s reign (51 wins, 44 losses and two no-results), including a range of stunning results over many of the world’s best sides. 

Joyce retired as a player in 2018 - a dual-international, he played 151 times for Ireland, becoming one of the most celebrated batters Ireland has produced.

His move into coaching included time as a batting coach for Ireland Men, before accepting the Women’s head coach role. 

Ed Joyce said: “It has been a privilege to lead Cricket Ireland’s women’s performance programme and to work with this group of dedicated cricketers and support staff. The last six years have been an incredible journey – not just for me personally, but for the players, coaches and, indeed, the entire performance programme.

“When I came on board we had just announced first-ever part-time contracts for women cricketers in Ireland. Those six part-time contracts have grown over subsequent years to now 23 players under some form of contract – a number of these being full-time. This process of professionalisation alone has been rewarding yet challenging. Throw the Covid pandemic into the mix, the constant need to juggle the availability of players who are still studying – all while meeting the demands of international cricket – the role has been all-encompassing.

“Just as in my professional playing career, I recognise the natural cycle of coaching.  There comes a time when a system benefits from fresh perspectives and new voices, allowing players to explore and develop their skills in diverse ways.

“Looking back to mid-2019, I'm immensely proud of the players, coaches, and support structures we've built.  They've undergone a remarkable evolution, rising to every challenge.  Victories against England (twice in a week!), Pakistan (in Pakistan), and Bangladesh (in Bangladesh), alongside dominant performances against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, and competitive showings against Australia and South Africa, are testaments to their hard work and some of my fondest memories.

“I'm grateful to Cricket Ireland for their trust in me, and deeply thankful to my coaching and support team for sharing this journey.  My sincere thanks also go to the players, their families, and the provincial and club coaches who have been integral to our success. A team is far more than just the eleven on the field; you've all been part of the wider team, making these past six years so enjoyable.

“This is not, I hope, the end of my journey with Irish cricket. You never can anticipate the future and what opportunities this great sport of cricket will offer in the years to come.”

Graeme West, Director of High Performance at Cricket Ireland, said: “While it’s a sad day to see such a respected figure step down, Ed’s impact on the senior women's programme will be felt for years to come. He has been instrumental in transforming the senior women’s set-up during his tenure, instilling in the players a sense that they belong at the sport’s top table.

“While we tried to convince Ed to extend his time in the role, he felt that this was an appropriate time to refresh the leadership. He'll lead the team one last time at the Qualifier in Pakistan this April, then handover what is a strong foundation for the next head coach to build upon.  We're immensely grateful for Ed's contributions in this latest incarnation of his wonderful service to Irish cricket – and as he says, we hope to see him back in some capacity in the future. It’s also important to send our thanks to Ed’s family - Fran, Georgiou and Sebastian - for their unwavering support over the last six years."