Derry City FC: 'Tiernan has a drive for perfection' - Ben Doherty
Having worked with Lynch at Larne, Doherty was able to tell everyone what to expect from the new boss
Ben Doherty’s phone lit up with texts from team mates when Tiernan Lynch was appointed as the new Derry City manager back in November.
Having worked with Lynch at Larne, Doherty was able to tell everyone what to expect from the new boss, with the Irish League title-winner something of an unknown commodity for many. But the City players soon had their answers, with Lynch very clear on what he expected from minute one.
“He’s been vey good since he’s come in, him and all his staff,” Doherty said. “He has been a breath of fresh air and from the first day of pre-season the standards were set and we’ve all bought into it and we’ve fallen into the way he wants us to play and we’re all excited about the way he wants us to play and we’re looking forward to showing that.”
The one thing separating Lynch from others Doherty believes is his sole focus for perfection, and if not perfection, the closest thing to it.
“His drive is the main thing,” Doherty continued. “He’s probably the first here in the morning and he’s the last to leave in the evening. There is no detail left unturned.
“Everything he does is thought out and there’s a reason way we do it. He’s very meticulous.
“He probably drives himself mad wanting everything to be perfect and he puts that onto the players. He strives for perfection in everything, and while you’ll not get that all the time, one thing he asks every day from all of us is that we come in and give everything every day and so far that’s been the case.”
Doherty knows perhaps better than anyone the expectation on Derry City in recent years, but that has perhaps changed slightly heading into a new season in which few know what to expect from the Candystripes under a new regime.
“Even last year and the year before when it was ‘Derry City are going to challenge for the title’, even though it’s in your head, we don’t think about it,” Doherty explained. “You just go into the season thinking that you want to get a good start and see where you’re at in a few months. Tere’s nothing won in the first month of the season.
“You’ve seen over the years how team come from so many points behind. I wouldn’t say there’s as much pressure on us this year in terms of the demands on us because no-one knows what we’re about yet, but that will soon come and we’re looking forward to it.
“Obviously, we want to be exciting this year, we want to go out every week and put on a show for people and to be fair Tiernan has bought right into that as well and that’s the way he has set us up this year to go and have a go at everyone.”
DIFFERENT DYNAMIC
Ben Doherty of Derry City after picking up an injury during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Derry City and Bohemians at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
“ It is an unusual situation that a player is involved with two clubs in two different leagues simultaneously, but Doherty believes it is a masterstroke from Lynch..
“Before he was still the captain and you still do as he says,” he laughed. “He was the leader and there hasn’t been much of a change; he’s just in different gear, but he’s still the same Fats.
“He comes in every morning and he’s around the players, and obviously he’s someone we can all tap into for what he’s done in this league and abroad, so I think he’s a huge asset to have. I can see why Tiernan has brought him in.
“It’s a smart play from him to have someone with that knowledge of the league to be around the players. He’s been there and done it so hopefully now with Fats’ knowledge and Tiernan’s style of play we can put something together, we can make the Brandywell a hard place to come.”