Joyce had taken over as the interim coach from Aaron Hamilton in June this year. © Cricket Ireland

Ed Joyce, the former Ireland batsman, has been named as the permanent head coach of Ireland Women's team. The southpaw was appointed as the interim coach of the side in June this year, and has now been been hired on a two-year contract, effective immediately.

Joyce, who compiled over 18000 first class runs and in his distinguished career, has been engaged in coaching roles with the Ireland men's and women's teams alongside performance pathway since he retired from the game in May 2018. He took over as the interim coach from Aaron Hamilton in June this year. Under his tenure, an Ireland side in transition, were placed third in the T20 World Cup qualifier, narrowly missing out on qualification for the main event.

"It's a great time to have been offered this opportunity, and I had no hesitation in accepting the role full-time," Joyce said. "The part-time contracts introduced this year, the rise in profile of women's cricket and women's sport in general, and the investment in facilities and support structures around the senior team all point to a commitment from Cricket Ireland to grow the game and lift our standards to compete on the world stage.

"While we were all obviously disappointed to have missed out on qualification for the T20 World Cup, what impressed me about the squad was the players' commitment to learn and the talent that began to emerge as the games came along. It wasn't just the senior players that stood up, but a number of the newer players to the senior team showed what they can offer. I was particularly happy with the fight the team showed in difficult positions against both Thailand and Bangladesh. Our fielding and bowling in both was outstanding and that character, being shown by a very young team, is going to be very important going forward," he added.

Richard Holdsworth, Performance Director for Cricket Ireland, noted that Joyce will also guide promising cricketers at the Shapoorji Pallonji Women's Academy in Malahide, as they try to expand their pool of players ahead of the 50-over World Cup qualifier in 2020 in Sri Lanka.

"We are delighted that Ed has accepted the role on a permanent basis. When he took on the interim Head Coach role three months ago, I said it was great to have such a world-class cricketer and budding international coach available to call upon. That applies just as much now, and we had no hesitation in offering him the opportunity. The calmness he brings, and the sense of togetherness within the team, was evident to all who saw the side in action in Scotland earlier in the month," Holdsworth said.

"With the home season coming to an end, and the Qualifier completed, Ed will now have the opportunity to further develop the skill set and mindset of the wider squad, and start to focus on 50 over cricket ahead of the World Cup Qualifier in Sri Lanka next July. He will additionally oversee the Shapoorji Pallonji Women's Academy - and to support this work we hope to soon appoint a new role to work underneath Ed that will focus on those players, the girls under-age talent pathway, and coaching support to the national team," he noted.