Seasoned coach takes charge of Ireland Women’s side

Former first-class cricketer and experienced coach Lloyd Tennant will take up the position of Ireland Women’s Head Coach, replacing the outgoing Ed Joyce as announced by Cricket Ireland.

The move comes in after Ireland missed out on a potential ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 in India, after finishing outside the qualification spots in the Qualifier in Pakistan last month, while also keeping in mind the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in England.

Tennant has over 30 years of experience in coaching and developing international, regional and first-class cricketers and teams and holds an ECB Level 4 Qualification.

Most recently, he was the former Head Coach of Central Sparks, a domestic women's team in England, which he led for four years.

He also has vast coaching pedigree across the Male High Performance Pathway at Leicestershire CCC for over 20 years, and was Bowling Coach for the ECB Male Under-19 programme.

He has significant experience in women’s cricket as Assistant Coach for the ECB Female Academy and ‘A’ Team, Assistant Coach for Manchester Originals Female Team, and as ECB Women and Girls’ Talent Manager for two years.

Speaking on his appointment, “I’m very excited about this new role - it’s such a great time to be involved in women’s cricket, given its rapid development around the world," said Tennant.

"This Ireland Women’s squad has moved forward enormously under the guidance of Ed Joyce, and I would like to continue his great work, supporting this squad as it continues to grow. To be honest, I can’t wait to get started."

Cricket Ireland’s Director of High Performance, Graeme West said, “We are delighted to have secured the services of Lloyd Tennant as our new National Women’s Head Coach.

"Lloyd’s vast experience coaching across male and female High Performance Pathways in the UK made him an outstanding candidate. He brings an abundance of expertise and knowledge, with the additional capacity to educate, that I am confident will advance the players and staff he leads.”

Tennant's first assignment as Head Coach will begin in July as Ireland take on Zimbabwe in a white-ball series comprising of three T20Is and two ODIs starting July 20.