Lynch has 'unfinished business' with Larne
Larne manager Tiernan Lynch says he believes he has "unfinished business" with the Irish Premiership champions after rejecting the chance to manage Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone.
Lynch was speaking to BBC Sport NI as he prepares to break new ground for the Irish League by leading his side into the league phase of the Uefa Conference League for the first time, starting with Thursday night's game away to Norwegian club Molde.
Lynch, who took over as Larne manager in 2017 and has won back-to-back league titles, had been the subject of an approach from the Saints, before the appointment of Simo Valakari.
Lynch explained that he was flattered to be linked with the post but his "big thing is concentrating on Larne now".
"There’s probably no doubt that the Scottish Premiership is a step up from the Irish League and getting to challenge yourself against the Celtics of this world, the Rangers of this world, Hibs and Hearts, household names, and all that goes with that," he said.
"We've been on a journey now for eight years that is probably unfinished. There was probably unfinished business here and we put that to bed and we move on.
“The work that was put in all those years ago to get where we are today, it probably needs to be seen through."
The Larne boss does not rule out moving on in the future if the right offer comes along.
“Nothing has changed with me. Personally, the work that has been put into my own development and us as a group or a management team, we work very hard at our game and we always work very hard to try and improve and areas where we can reflect and develop, so nothing has changed as far as that’s concerned and I think the timing of everything is always key."
'We're not here to make up the numbers'
Lynch went on to say that he was "privileged" to manage the east Antrim club during their rise from the second tier of Northern Ireland football to capturing successive league crowns and now becoming the first Irish League club to participate in the league or group phase of a European competition.
Larne will also face Shamrock Rovers, St Gallen, Olimpija and Dinamo Minsk over the coming months.
"I think the big thing is that we go in there with the confidence," Lynch added.
"There’s a huge amount of work has gone into this on the field and off the field, now we want to do ourselves proud, do the club, the fans and the league proud.
"It’s going to be extremely difficult but we’re not here to make up any numbers. I see we are expected to finish bottom but we have to take that as an opportunity to step up to the challenge."
