Lynch is eager for Larne to meet the challenge
LARNE manager Tiernan Lynch is relishing pitting his wits against top-flight opposition tonight with Ards the visitors to Inver Park in the County Antrim Shield.
Lynch’s Larne side are well clear in the Championship and, while their primary aim this season is promotion, there will be determination in the ranks to go as far as possible in the knockout competitions.
And the manager is encouraged by the fact that all of his players are keen to play rather than rest ahead of an important league clash at fifth-placed H&W Welders.
Earlier in the season, they lost narrowly in the League Cup to Premiership outfit Glentoran, and Lynch believes this evening’s clash will be just as testing against Colin Nixon’s side, who will enter the quarter-final tie on a high after Saturday’s stunning 2-1 victory over Linfield.
“I know Ards had a big result at the weekend beating Linfield, so they will come into the match with confidence, but that’s why we are here — to be challenged — and we’re looking forward to it,” said Lynch.
Marty Donnelly is on fire at present for Larne, netting another hat-trick in the recent 4-0 win over Carrick, and will be a big danger to Ards, though he is not the only one at a club on the up in every sense.
Leading the way in the Championship, the ground is developing fast and the fan base is growing — over 2,000 attended last week’s 2-1 home victory over a Rangers Academy side to officially open the new stadium.
That was then followed up by over 1,000 people turning up at the weekend for the comprehensive victory over derby rivals Carrick.
Anyone waiting for the bubble to burst will simply have to keep waiting.
The Larne bubble is getting bigger thanks to the generosity and vision of owner and Purplebricks multi-millionaire Kenny Bruce, who is being brilliantly supported by the work ethic of chairman Gareth Clements, commercial director Gavin Clements as well as boss Lynch, his players and all involved at the club.
Having money to spend is one thing, spending it well is something else. Midfielder Jeff Hughes was the biggest of all the summer arrivals and has proved to a shrewd signing.
“Jeff is a quality player and the heartbeat of the side,” said Lynch.
“Until you actually watch him day in, day out off the ball you don’t realise how much of an influence he really is.
“It is like having a coach on the pitch.”
There may be bigger Shield quarter-finals tonight, but this one promises to be a fascinating contest with Larne up against a side they hope to face in the top league next term and Ards aiming to build on the result of the season in Irish League football.
As a player, Nixon was used to winning trophies with Glentoran and would love to take his Ards team all the way to a final, knowing the hugely positive impact it would have on the club.