Larne confirm Rooney as Lynch's replacement

Nathan Rooney has been confirmed as the new manager of Irish Premiership champions Larne.

The Blackburn native was most recently in charge of Gibraltarian team Bruno's Magpies.

Rooney was identified as Larne's number one target following the departure of Tiernan Lynch to become Derry City boss last week.

"I’m delighted to join such a hardworking football club with such great history," he said.

"This has been achieved with a collective effort and an inclusive working environment which I am looking forward to becoming a part of."

The 35-year-old has helped improve the fortunes of Magpies, including securing qualification for European club competition.

Rooney's side knocked Derry City out in the first qualifying round of the Uefa Conference League in July, 3-2 the aggregate score, before losing 8-1 over two legs to FC Copenhagen in the next round.

Two years earlier Magpies went down 4-3 on aggregate to Crusaders in the Uefa Conference League first qualifying round.

Lynch's tenure at Larne saw the Invermen clinch the first Irish League titles in their history in the form of back-to-back Premiership crowns.

He also led the east Antrim club into the league stages of a major European competition, breaking new ground for an Irish League side.