Ed Joyce returns to Ireland coaching staff with men’s batting role

Ed Joyce has returned to Ireland’s national coaching staff as high performance batting coach, with responsibility focused on the men’s senior squad and the male talent pathway. Cricket Ireland announced the appointment on September 28 and said he would begin immediately, bringing the former international back into its coaching ranks after his spell leading Ireland’s women.

Watch the highlights:

Director of high performance Graeme West said the timing would allow Joyce to start working with players ahead of a busy off-season. In the governing body’s announcement, West praised both Joyce’s technical qualities as a batter and the coaching ability he demonstrated with the women’s team. The new position gives Joyce a batting specialism covering established internationals as well as players developing through the men’s pathway.

Joyce identified greater consistency as the central objective for the batting group. He said the men’s side already possessed talent and acknowledged the preparation that had gone into making its players competitive internationally. He said he hoped his own insights would help the batting group build on that preparation as he took up the new post.

Explaining his coaching priorities, Joyce said the growing importance of power hitting had not removed the need for reliable technique and a constructive mindset. He described helping players improve those aspects of their game as an enjoyable part of his previous coaching job. He also said remaining involved in Irish cricket had been important to him after his playing career ended.

Joyce made 151 appearances for Ireland, scoring 5,552 runs at an average of 40.82, including 10 centuries and 29 half-centuries, according to Cricket Ireland. He also represented England 19 times. Those playing credentials preceded his move into international coaching: after retiring in 2018, he became Ireland women’s head coach in 2019, a career sequence also reported by BBC Sport.

Cricket Ireland said Joyce stepped away from the women’s head coach position in February 2025. His return now shifts his attention to the men’s batting programme, with duties extending beyond the senior side. In welcoming the opportunity, Joyce thanked West and men’s head coach Gary Wilson, while stressing his continued appreciation of being involved with the national setup.