Larne boss Tiernan Lynch: We’ve been a target for others long before being crowned champions

Tiernan Lynch has been named September's Manager of the Month

Larne manager Tiernan Lynch says he believes the Irish League has never been in a healthier place and he relishes the challenge of the Invermen being one of domestic football’s biggest scalps for several years.

Lynch, who has been crowned the NI Football Writers’ Association Manager of the Month for September, steered the club to a first ever Premiership title earlier this year but that’s water under the bridge now.

While it’s often said that teams want to cut down the champions, the former Glentoran coach believes Larne have always been envied since Kenny Bruce agreed to invest in the club and helped write a rags to riches fairytale story.

Bruce has invested millions in his hometown outfit — rejuvenating both the dilapidated Inver Park stadium and introducing a full-time culture.

“I don’t think the game has changed for us a lot since we won the League,” argues Lynch.

“There has always been a focus on Larne, the full-time set-up and people have looked at us as a scalp.

“It’s something we have to embrace, it’s a privilege to be in this position and it’s not always easy but it’s a challenge we must embrace.

“The Irish League will always be fiercely fought to the end, there are too many quality teams.

“People will talk about investment or sponsorship but it’s 11v11 on the pitch and you are not bringing (Lionel) Messi or (Cristiano) Ronaldo in here, you are bringing in players from leagues of a similar stature.

“There’s not a huge difference between the teams, if anything I think the quality is getting better from one to 12.

“As a manager, you always start by looking at yourself. When you lose a game, you consider what you could have done differently. Have I got