Derry City: Tiernan Lynch exit ‘pretty much a snap decision’ – chairman Philip O’Doherty

Derry City chairman Philip O’Doherty has said that the decision to part ways with manager Tiernan Lynch was one that had only been finally arrived at quite quickly.

The Brandywell club announced the departure of Lynch on Wednesday after a disappointing season to date.

The Candystripes sit sixth in the Premier Division table and have won just one of their past seven games.

The former Larne double title winning boss had been manager of Derry since November 2024 and guided them to a second place finish in the league last season, plus qualification for European competition.

O’Doherty told BBC Sport NI that it was “pretty much a snap decision” to part company with Lynch, with it only being finalised on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

“He [Lynch] had a really good season last year, this year hasn’t been up to expectations and has been a disappointment,” O’Doherty told BBC Sport NI.

“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.”

Pressure had been building on Lynch in recent months in light of poor results, with some supporters vocal in calling for a change.

“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,” explained the Derry chairman.

“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.”