Lynch aims to make Derry 'Ireland's biggest club'

Tiernan Lynch has been handed a three-year contract at Derry City following Ruaidhri Higgins' departure on Friday

New Derry City boss Tiernan Lynch says his mission will be to make the Candystripes "the biggest club on the island of Ireland".

As he was officially unveiled as Ruaidhri Higgins' successor following his departure from Irish League champions Larne, Lynch said that opting to move to the Brandywell had been "a very quick decision".

"I wouldn’t have taken the job, if I didn’t fully believe this club had the potential to be the biggest club on the island of Ireland. Our job on a daily basis now is to try and bring that out," Lynch told a news conference.

"There wasn’t too much to think about. I’m well aware of how big this football club is and the challenge that lies ahead."

Lynch, who has moved to the Brandywell alongside brother Seamus his assistant at Larne on a three-year contract, takes the Candystripes post just under two months after rejecting the chance to become manager at Scottish Premiership club St Johnstone.

"I was fortunate to get a job offer back in October from the Scottish Premiership which I turned down but when I had the conversation with Derry it was a no-brainer.

"The challenge here is definitely one that will be very rewarding. I understand there’s a lot of work to go on here on and off the pitch. We’ve been fortunate enough to do that at Larne and it’s definitely something we feel we can bring to Derry City."

Derry City's chief executive Sean Barrett said Lynch had quickly emerged as the club's "number one target" following Higgins' exit.

"I made a call to Kenny Bruce [Larne owner] to see if there was any chance of speaking to Tiernan. He laughed and said 'you know what? I was waiting on this call'," said the Candystripes CEO

"It’s fabulous for the club and the city. The ambitions that we have completely fulfil his ambitions so I think it’s a great match for the club."

Barrett added that in addition to Lynch's achievements at Larne which included successive Irish Premiership titles over the past two seasons, he had been hugely impressed by the manager's work in establishing "state of the art" training facilities at the Inver Park club.

"The energy, drive and ambition that man has. Once I sat down and talked to him…..within minutes [I knew he was the right man]…..the presentation was incredibly professional.

"Everything about that man oozed professionalism and it’s exactly what we need at this club," added Barrett, who was also careful to pay tribute to the contribution Higgins made to Derry City.

Barrett added that the Derry board had "backed Ruaidhri Higgins financially and we will back this man".

"Our endeavour is to get better facilities, win league titles and compete at the group stages in Europe," said the Candystripes chief executive.

'Out-of-contract players'

Lynch's most immediate task will be to talk to several out-of-contract players including goalkeeper Brian Maher, with Derry's playing resources already having diminished over the past week following the departure of the McEleney brothers Patrick and Shane plus Colm Whelan.

"There will be bumps along the way but as long as we stay together as a collective, I think the fans will see very quickly that we’re hugely committed, that they will get 100% in everything that we do," added Lynch.

"There will be no players that go on that pitch that aren’t committed to Derry City Football Club and don’t take pride in the badge. As long as they see that we’re prepared to do that, I’m hoping they get behind us."

Lynch added that the opportunity that a university town such as Derry gives the club in forming educational links was part of his thinking in accepting the Candystripes job.

"You're not coming in just to build a first team. You're coming in to try and develop a whole club, a whole community and whole footballing city."

Lynch hopes the Brandywell pitch can be returned to a grass surface "sooner rather than later"

The new Derry City boss added that was excited by the opportunity to work in a league which operates in the calendar year with summer football.

"I have been crying out for a summer league in the NIFL Premiership for many years.

"I think this gives you a real advantage going into Europe having competitive games under your belt. And from a coaching perspective and from a player's perspective, better pitches and better weather. I'm really looking forward to summer mornings and summer evenings, coaching in shorts and tee-shirts rather than hoodies and snoods."

Lynch also indicated his preference - as was the case with previous boss Higgins - that the Brandywell pitch should return to a grass surface rather the artificial pitch which has come in for criticism over injuries to players.

"Any footballer will tell right across the whole world that the natural grass and the natural surface is definitely easier to play on, less injuries, a truer run of the ball so it's definitely something the club will want to strive to put in and hopefully it happens sooner rather than later."

Asked for what is likely to expectation for quick success for a club that haven't won a League of Ireland title since 1997, Lynch said he was "under no illusion that you've got to win football games to keep your job".

Lynch was at Larne for over five years before the club landed the Irish Premiership title and he is likely to be aware that Derry City have had five previous managers over the past decade.