Owenbeg boost 'massive' as new Derry City boss Tiernan Lynch seeks 'new slant'

Tiernan Lynch may be a newcomer to the League of Ireland but the Derry City manager is already well acquainted with the prowess of its leading lights.

Last October, the Belfast native welcomed Shamrock Rovers to Windsor Park where his Larne side had decamped for a UEFA Conference League clash.

Ultimately it proved to be a chastening experience for Lynch's team as the Hoops thrashed them 4-1 in convincing fashion.

But in some ways, the quality displayed by a top-end SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division club was not a huge surprise to Lynch, as he told RTÉ Sport, with Derry City's season-opener away against reigning champions Shelbourne looming on Friday.

"Obviously we've been following the league for a number of years and watching some of the great teams that the League of Ireland have put on offer," said the 48-year-old, who will be assisted by his elder brother Seamus, just as he was at Larne during his successful tenure.

"We're under no illusions how difficult this is going to be. We're under no illusions the challenge that lies ahead. But it's a challenge we're going to enjoy and we're going to embrace."

Appointed in November after the parting of ways with predecessor Ruaidhrí Higgins, Lynch arrives at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium with trophy-winning pedigree.

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Over a seven-and-a-half year tenure at Larne, he took what was an unfancied side from the depths of the Northern Irish second tier to promotion and then back-to-back league NIFL Premiership crowns in