Tiernan Lynch, the manager of Larne, believes that there is still a noticeable gap between the Irish League and the League of Ireland as his team gets ready to face Shamrock Rovers in Europe. Southern clubs have been quicker to transition to full-time football compared to their northern counterparts, with Rovers and Dundalk achieving success in European competitions before any Irish Premiership club. Larne recently made history by securing a spot in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League, where they will face Shamrock Rovers.
The upcoming match between Larne and Shamrock Rovers at Windsor Park will be a test to see if the gap still exists, according to Lynch. He acknowledges that there are differences in terms of contact time and budgets between the two leagues. Lynch has been observing Shamrock Rovers play and commends them for their football-oriented style, talented players, and successful results. However, he also believes that they are beatable, as demonstrated by their performances this season.
In order to compete with Shamrock Rovers, Lynch emphasizes the importance of Larne being at their best and executing their game plan flawlessly. He notes that Rovers prefer patient build-up play and are comfortable on the ball, but he sees a shift towards more possession-based football in the Irish League. Lynch believes that for the league to progress, more teams need to play with bravery and less fear, which is easier to do when teams are full-time.
While Larne and other clubs have embraced full professionalism, Lynch raises the question of how the entire league can become full-time. He highlights the challenges faced by players in terms of travel and recovery between games, emphasizing the importance of proper preparation for peak performance. Despite the demands placed on players, Lynch remains optimistic about the journey ahead and the potential for growth and improvement.
In conclusion, Lynch’s insights shed light on the differences between the Irish League and the League of Ireland, as well as the challenges and opportunities for Northern Irish football to evolve into a fully professional league. As clubs like Larne lead the way in embracing professionalism, the focus now shifts to how the entire league can make the transition and provide players with the best possible environment to succeed.