Ed Joyce to step down as Ireland Women head coach

Ed Joyce to Step Down as Ireland Women’s Head Coach After World Cup Qualifier

Ed Joyce will step down as the head coach of the Ireland Women’s cricket team following the World Cup Qualifier in Pakistan in April. Joyce has been at the helm for nearly six years but has chosen not to extend his contract, regardless of whether Ireland secures a place in the Women’s 50-over World Cup for the first time since 2005.

Joyce’s Tenure and Achievements

• Appointment: Joyce was appointed as the permanent head coach in September 2019 after initially serving as the interim coach for three months following Aaron Hamilton’s departure.
• Key Successes: Under his leadership, Ireland Women achieved several notable milestones:
  • T20I series wins in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
  • ODI series win against Sri Lanka, securing a 2-1 victory.
  • Historic victory over England in an ODI for the first time since 2001.
  • First-ever T20I win against England, drawing the series 1-1.

Challenges During His Time as Coach

• COVID-19 Disruptions: Joyce’s time as head coach was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to 20 months without a competitive fixture. The pandemic also hindered Ireland’s attempt to qualify for the 2022 Women’s 50-over World Cup.
• T20 World Cup Qualifier: Although Ireland qualified for the 2023 T20 World Cup, they narrowly missed out on the 2022 edition, losing to Scotland in the qualifier.

Joyce’s Reflections on His Coaching Journey

In his statement, Joyce reflected on his time leading the women’s team:

• “It has been a privilege to lead Cricket Ireland’s women’s performance program and to work with such a dedicated group of cricketers and support staff. The last six years have been an incredible journey—not only for me personally, but for the players, coaches, and the entire performance program.”
• He highlighted the progress made in professionalizing women’s cricket in Ireland, stating, “When I started, we had just announced the first-ever part-time contracts for women cricketers in Ireland. These contracts have grown from six part-time to 23 players, with many now on full-time contracts.”
• Joyce acknowledged the challenges, particularly the pandemic and balancing the demands of international cricket with players’ academic commitments.

Graeme West’s Comments

Graeme West, Cricket Ireland’s director of high performance, expressed his sadness at Joyce’s decision to step down but acknowledged the positive impact he had on the women’s team:

• “While it’s a sad day to see such a respected figure step down, Ed’s impact on the senior women’s program 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 of belonging at the sport’s top level.”
• West shared that Cricket Ireland had tried to persuade Joyce to extend his tenure but understood his decision. He also emphasized the importance of a smooth transition to the next head coach.

Looking Ahead

• Joyce will continue to lead the team through the World Cup Qualifier in Pakistan in April, after which he will hand over the reins to the next head coach.
• Cricket Ireland expressed gratitude for Joyce’s contributions and hoped to see him involved in Irish cricket in some capacity in the future.

Acknowledging Joyce’s Family

West also extended thanks to Joyce’s family—Fran, Georgiou, and Sebastian—for their support throughout his six years with the team.

As Joyce prepares for his final tournament in charge, his legacy will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the development of women’s cricket in Ireland.