Larne boss Tiernan Lynch has been named NIFWA Manager of the Month for the third month in a row.

By adding the Football Writers’ December award to his collection Lynch becomes only the fourth manager in history to complete the hat-trick. He follows in the footsteps of the late Tommy Breslin, David Jeffrey - who completed the feat on two separate occasions – and Oran Kearney.

A delighted Lynch said, “It’s an honour to join an exclusive club that includes men like Tommy, Oran and David. I’d like to thank the Football Writers’ for picking me, once again.

“However, at Larne we don’t believe in individual awards. We win or lose as a team, so this award belongs to all the players and my coaching staff.”

In December, Larne ended their 33-year wait for a senior trophy by beating Glentoran in the County Antrim Shield final. The Invermen also claimed a memorial 3-1 win over Linfield and a 2-1 victory against Glenavon before Covid restrictions brought the month to a premature end.

Reflecting on the Shield win, Lynch said, “It was a very special night for our football club. My hope is it will serve as launchpad for further success. However, I am aware that at the end of the season we will be judged on what happens in the next four months rather than the last four months. We are now looking forward, not backwards.”