Tiernan Lynch admits that Derry City was ‘an itch I needed to scratch’ after he was unveiled as the club’s new manager on a three-year contract.
The 44-year-old has had a whirlwind few days, starting just last weekend when he was approached by the Candystripes to succeed Ruaidhri Higgins, who left the Brandywell club after almost four years in charge.
Lynch brought an unprecedented level of success to Larne during seven-and-a-half years in charge, and despite the unexpected events of a crazy weekend, he believes he made the right decision.
“It was probably the right time,” he said.
“I think we probably took the club as far as we could take it. I think it was for the players’ sake, supporters’ sake, and everybody connected to the club.
“It was maybe time just for a new voice. It was an unbelievable seven-and-a-half years and a period of my life that we’ll never forget and thankfully, we were able to bring them that little bit of success that we brought them.”
Lynch is in no doubt that whoever succeeds him at Inver Park will go on to bring even further success to Larne.
“I look forward to watching them kick on now and I have no doubt they’ll go from strength to strength,” he stated.
“It’s a great club. Myself and Kenny Bruce are great friends and will remain great friends.
“He knew that this was an opportunity and, as he put it, this was an itch I needed to scratch. I’m a hugely ambitious manager.
“Myself and Seamus are hugely ambitious about where we want to go and what we want to do and I don’t think there’s any better place than this.”
Be it promotion from the Championship in 2019, a first senior trophy in 33 years in 2020, European football qualification in 2021 or that first of two successive titles in 2023, Lynch’s legacy at Larne will forever be untouched.
“It’s been a phenomenal journey,” he agreed.
“One that we’re very proud of and one that will play a massive part in our lives for many years to come.
“We’ve loved every minute of it. It’s been difficult.
“There’s been ups and downs and there’ve been bumps along the way.
“But we’re absolutely delighted to have done what we’ve done but it’s time to move on.
“It’s more than just me. Myself, Seamus [Lynch], Kenny [Bruce], there’s been a whole group of people that have brought this [success]. I’m just a cog in the wheel and it was a well-oiled machine. It’s been an unbelievable journey but we have to start looking forward now.
“It’s a difficult day. We were made very welcome the minute we walked through the doors of Larne Football Club.
When we walked through the doors there were about 60 people at the games and to build it to where we’ve got to has been a phenomenal experience.
“It’s something we’ll always look back on and something we’ll always cherish. I couldn’t be any more thankful to everyone who played a part in the journey.
“But as I say, we can’t keep talking about the past. We’ve got to let it go now. We’ve got to turn the page and look at what’s next.”