Cricket Ireland has appointed Ed Joyce as its High Performance Batting Coach, effective September 28, 2026. Joyce will work with the Ireland Men’s senior squad and across the male talent pathway in his new position, beginning immediately.
Joyce brings a substantial playing record to the role. He represented Ireland on 151 occasions, scoring 5,552 runs at an average of 40.82, with 10 centuries and 29 half-centuries. He also played for England on 19 occasions during his career, giving him experience at the highest level of the game on both sides of the international divide.
After retiring from playing, Joyce moved into coaching and was appointed Head Coach of Ireland Women in 2019, one year after his retirement from the game. He stepped away from that position in February 2025, and his return to Cricket Ireland’s coaching structure now sees him shift focus to the men’s programme.
What did Ed Joyce say about his new role?
Joyce spoke about his return to Cricket Ireland’s set-up and outlined what he hopes to bring to the batting group.
“Once I retired from playing, staying involved in Irish cricket was a high priority for me. The head coach role with Ireland Women was a great experience, and I enjoyed the day-to-day aspect of working with players on developing and improving their techniques and mindset,” he stated.
“The modern game has changed and evolved greatly in recent years – and whether it’s the men’s or women’s side of the sport, several fundamentals have held true. Despite the power game coming to the fore, having a sound technique and a positive mindset are still crucial aspects for any batter at this level.
“When I look at the Ireland men’s side over recent years, it’s obvious to see the amount of hard work that has gone on behind the scenes in preparing our players to be competitive on the international stage. I look forward to getting involved in this work and perhaps adding some insights and knowledge to push the batting group forward. The talent is there; the goal is now consistency,” Joyce expressed.
Joyce also expressed his gratitude to those who facilitated the appointment.
“Thanks to Graeme [West] and Wils [head coach Gary Wilson] for this opportunity – it’s always a pleasure pulling on the shamrock, and I have learnt to never take these opportunities for granted,” he concluded.
“Whether as player or coach, Ed Joyce has been an absolute asset to Irish cricket and we are delighted to have him return to our coaching ranks. He was an outstanding and technically-renowned batter during his playing days, and his coaching abilities were on full display during his stint as Ireland Women’s head coach. With a busy off-season approaching, Ed’s appointment is timely and he will begin working with the players immediately,” Graeme West, the Director of High Performance for Cricket Ireland, was quoted as saying.
