'I've been crying out for it in NIFL Premiership' - Tiernan Lynch on new landscape

Tiernan Lynch insists he can't wait to experience 'summer football' after swapping Larne for Derry City. The former Inver Park supremo was confirmed as the Candystripes' new boss last week.

Lynch guided Larne from the Championship to become back-to-back Premiership champions, and also helped Larne become the first Irish League club to reach the group stages of European competition.

He will be hoping to make the same impact with Derry, a side who finished fourth in the League of Ireland Premier Division last season, and lost out in the final of the FAI Cup.

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It is a period of transition for Lynch as he assesses his squad at the Brandywell and weighs up some transfer moves. Another change he is preparing for is the prospect of playing summer football, with the League of Ireland operating between March and October.

Lynch believes there are plenty of positives with playing football over the warmer months, including the benefits it brings clubs when kicking off their European campaigns in July.

"I have been crying out for a summer league in the NIFL Premiership for many years. I think there is a real disadvantage (with winter league), especially when it comes to European football," he said.

"Larne went into our European campaigns in recent years not having had any competitive games. This gives you a real advantage having seven or eight competitive fixtures under your belt.

"You also have better weather, better pitches, and you can do more with the players. Coaching in the NIFL Premiership, when you get to December, January and February, it is really about keeping the players moving rather than getting to implement the things you want to do.

"So I can't wait to the summer mornings and evenings, and coaching in shorts and t-shirt rather than hats and snoods."

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