Tiernan Lynch has left Irish League champions Larne to become the new manager of Derry City.
Lynch has signed a three year deal with the League of Ireland club that parted company with Ruaidhri Higgins last week.
City’s CEO Sean Barrett said: “We met with Tiernan at the weekend and we were impressed by his vision and energy to take Derry City Football Club forward.
“He has overseen a massive development programme at Larne over the past few seasons and we are delighted that he was very keen to come to the Brandywell.
“There is a lot of work to do over the coming weeks in preparation for next season and we are very much looking forward to starting work with Tiernan later this week.”
Lynch has done an outstanding job at Inver Park leading the club to the first two Premiership titles in their history and he broke new ground by guiding the east Antrim outfit into the group stages of the UEFA Conference League. Further to that he has inspired Larne to four County Antrim Shield triumphs in a row having become manager in 2017 when they were a struggling Championship side.
The 44-year was of course helped by the finances of owner Kenny Bruce in building something special at Larne but his influence and ability as a coach and manager was fundamental to the success the club has had in recent years.
Lynch had the opportunity to move to Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone earlier in the season but opted to stay with Larne. It seems the chance to manage the Candystripes has proved too good to turn down.
The Belfast Telegraph revealed last week that Higgins was set to leave the manager’s role at Derry City after three and a half years in charge – and that was officially confirmed by the club hours later.
Derry had a hugely disappointing end to the season, losing the FAI Cup final to Drogheda United after finishing fourth in the league and failing to qualify for Europe having been title contenders for the majority of the campaign.
City have not won the League of Ireland crown since 1997 with ambitious owner Philip O’Doherty determined to end that long wait.
While Derry look to have got their man, Lynch’s imminent departure means Larne will need a new manager. Dungannon boss Rodney McAree, Jim Magilton and Gerard Lyttle at Cliftonville and Coleraine’s Dean Shiels were amongst those considered as Lynch’s successor when St Johnstone came in for him and are set to be in contention again. Other options include hometown favourites Gareth McAuley and current Larne coach Gary Haveron.
Lynch will take charge of Larne for one last time on Tuesday night, when the Invermen face Institute in the BetMcLean Cup – ironically, at the Brandywell.
Majority shareholder Kenny Bruce said: “We are extremely thankful for all that Tiernan and Seamus have achieved in their seven and a half years at the club
“Their names will go down in the record books of not only Larne Football Club, but Irish League football as a whole, for all that they have done.
“They have both worked tirelessly for the club and that hard work has borne much fruit and achieved some incredible feats.
“They have played a major part in building the club from the first team right through to the Academy.
“Both of them have also created a hugely important culture, which has been the foundation of all we’ve been able to do.”
First team coach Gary Haveron, supported by the club’s technical director Andy Mitchell and remainder of football staff, will take interim charge of the first team squad on Wednesday morning.
“This week will begin a new chapter for the club, and it’s one I’m very excited for,” Kenny continued.
“Both Gary and Andy are tremendous people to have in charge at the club and I know they will do a great job.
“They are familiar with the club, how we do things, and with the existing playing staff.
“Work has already begun to identify who should lead us going forward, and we will communicate that with our fans as soon as we are able to.”