Tiernan Lynch to Derry City confirmed as Kenny Bruce pays tribute

Tiernan Lynch is the new manager of Derry City. The League of Ireland side confirmed the deal on Monday night.

Lynch has agreed a three-year contract with the Candystripes, who finished fourth in the League of Ireland Premier Division and were beaten finalists in the FAI Cup.

The 44-year-old comes in to replace Ruaidhri Higgins who parted company with the Brandywell club last week. His brother and current assistant Seamus Lynch will join him in the move.

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It brings the curtain down on a remarkable seven-year spell at Larne, with Lynch helping lift the club from the Championship to become back-to-back Premiership champions. They also made history earlier this season by becoming the first Irish League club to reach the group stages of a European competition.

Larne won four successive County Antrim Shields during his time at the helm, with Lynch overseeing the club's move into full-time football under the guidance of majority shareholder Kenny Bruce.

Derry CEO Sean Barrett confirmed Lynch's arrival. He told the club's website: “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 will take charge of Larne for the final time on Tuesday night when Larne take on Institute in the BetMcLean Cup, ironically being played at the Brandywell.

Larne FC majority shareholder 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.”

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Larne first team coach Gary Haveron will take interim charge of the first team squad from Wednesday as the club begins the search for a new boss.

He will be supported by the club’s technical director Andy Mitchell and staff.

Bruce added: “This week will begin a new chapter for the club, and it’s one I’m very excited for. 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.”

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