Derry City part ways with manager Tiernan Lynch

Derry currently sit sixth in the Premier Division despite billionaire owner Philip O'Doherty bringing in plenty of high-quality talent, including Ireland centurion and hometown boy James McClean.

Derry City have parted ways with manager Tiernan Lynch. Pic: Tom Maher/Inpho

Wed, 05 Aug, 2026 - 13:08

Shane Donovan

League of Ireland outfit Derry City have parted ways with manager Tiernan Lynch.

Having finished second in the league in 2025, Derry currently sit sixth in the Premier Division despite billionaire owner Philip O'Doherty bringing in plenty of high-quality talent, including Ireland centurion and hometown boy James McClean.

37-year-old McClean has clashed publicly with Lynch in recent weeks and has since taken to social media to voice his concerns with the season the Candystripes are having.

Former centre-half, club captain and current director of football, Mark Connolly, will take over from Lynch on an interim basis.

A club statement read: "Derry City Football Club can confirm that it has today parted company with First Team Manager Tiernan Lynch.

"The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Tiernan for his professionalism, commitment and hard work during his time at Derry City.

"Mark Connolly will assume responsibility for first team affairs on an interim basis."

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Derry chairman Philip O'Doherty told BBC Sport NI: "He (Lynch) had a really good season last year, this year hasn't been up to expectations and has been a disappointment.

"We've assembled a reasonably good squad we think, and it's getting better with the arrival of Mark Connolly in a director of football role, but I just thought if we were going to make a change now was the right time to do it.

"We've got all to fight for in terms of European spaces and we're still in the cup."

He added: "I don't follow social media and I don't follow a lot of the football pundits either. I look at what's happening on the field and speak to my fellow directors and we make a decision, and we thought it was time.

"The players weren't expecting it and were probably thinking we will fight through the rest of the season but by and large they understand it.

"He (Tiernan) was disappointed but we shook hands and I wished him the best of luck."