Ireland appoint Ed Joyce as high performance batting coach

Former international standout Ed Joyce has officially taken on a major new chapter in his coaching career, returning to Cricket Ireland as the high performance batting coach for the senior men's team. In addition to working directly with the senior squad, Joyce will play a pivotal role in shaping the country's male talent pathway, helping to identify and nurture the next generation of Irish batting talent. A Wealth of Experience Joyce brings a deep understanding of the international game and a stellar resume to the role. Having represented both Ireland and England during a distinguished playing career, he transitioned seamlessly into coaching after announcing his retirement as a player in 2018. Shortly after hanging up his boots, he took charge of the Ireland women's team as head coach. He spent nearly six years leading the squad before stepping down in April 2025. Since then, he has expanded his coaching portfolio through stints with Gloucestershire in county cricket and the Dublin Guardians in the ETPL, alongside working as a cricket broadcaster. Speaking on his appointment, Joyce emphasized his lifelong commitment to the sport in his home country: "Once I retired from playing, staying involved in Irish cricket was a high priority for me. 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." Setting Sights on Consistency Joyce joins a strong leadership core, working alongside men's team head coach Gary Wilson and high performance director Graeme West. The appointment comes at a crucial time for the Irish men's team. Following a challenging 4-0 home series defeat in their five-match ODI assignment against Afghanistan, the team is looking to fine-tune its performance. Joyce believes the raw ability is already present within the squad, with the primary objective now being week-in, week-out reliability. "I look forward to getting involved in this work and perhaps adding some insights and knowledge to push the batting group forward," Joyce noted. "The talent is there, the goal is now consistency." Looking Ahead With his immediate start date, Joyce has wasted no time getting to work. His ultimate test and immediate focus will be preparing the batting lineup for the high-stakes 2027 ODI World Cup Qualifier, scheduled to take place from February 22 to March 23. With a spot on the global stage hanging in the balance, Irish cricket fans will be hoping Joyce's technical expertise can translate into valuable runs when it matters most.