Hard work starts now for Lynch

The Judges Road men, who secured their senior status following their play-off win at Portadown on Saturday, want to be playing AIL Division Two rugby in a couple of years.

"It has never been our intention to simply go up, we want to go up and really attack Division Three," admitted Lynch.

"Our aim is to be in Division Two in two years and next season we will be aiming for a top four finish which I don't think is unrealistic.

"I don't envisage wholesale changes and the boys are ready to knuckly down because there is a lot of hard work ahead of next season in terms of building the physical side of our game.

"That was eveident on Saturday against Portadown. Our set-pieces were fine but it still took us a long time to get on top of them up front. We will have our team de-briefing next week before the boys have a well earned couple of weeks off, but then it will be back to the hard work, something that these players are fully prepared for."

The Kiwi also indicated that he wants to remain in the hotseat at Judges Road.

"The club has indicated they would like me to stay and I am really enjoying working with these players. We will be looking to bolster our options ahead of next year and that means the whole club.

"The trick is to try and strengthen the Senior II's and Senior III's as well as the first team, so there is a good pool of talent to draw on."

The Derry coach hailed his squad of players for achieving their goal and making the return to senior rugby after their 26-22 AIL Play-off success against Portadown.

It was the end of a two year journey for the North West club who, during their time in the junior ranks, achieved everything they could.

But having missed out on making a straight return to AIL Three last season, Derry readjusted their focus and concentrated fully on the league side of business.

It may not have been what they wanted, but withdrawing from both the Junior and Towns' Cups, ensured, with the large break due to the poor winter weather, they were able to focus on the league.

And, Derry had of course won both those trophies in the previous season.

"I am just delighted for the boys and our supporters, who have followed us faithfully wherever we have been this year, whether it was to Armagh, Ballymoney or Seapoint," he said.

"I think the club probably recognised they needed to come down to go forward, and they have.

"All Ireland League Three is a dogged league and you do feel for Portadown. They lost eight games, four of which were by a few points. Had they come out the other side of those, they would be sitting in sixth place and not 15th.

"And we are aware of that, just how tough it will be next year. But we wanted to get back to senior rugby and I believe with this young squad, it will not be about survival it is about going out there and competing.

"As for me, I may have a job next year with City of Derry. Certainly Saturday's result will help," laughed Lynch.

"Of course I would like to take this step with them too. I have been welcomed into the community and it has been great.

"And the club is part of the community. We are a mixed club and there are people involved in many ways throughout the area."

Lynch added: "I am just thrilled that the guys have finally go what they deserved."

The North West club were without regular skipper, Bob McKillop, who was serving a three-match suspension imposed after he was controversially red carded in the final Round-Robin Series play-off against Richmond.

Stepping into his shoes was David Houston and he said: "This means so much to us. We are a close group of players, setting high standards, and while it was tough going in the Kukri League towards the end of the season there, needing to get bonus point win after bonus point win to keep up with Armagh, we came through that.

"I think we did dip a little in performance against Seapoint in the opening round-robin game, but with a break before the next game, it gave us time to freshen up and get our focus right as well mentally.

"I think it was a flat first half from us, but we opened up in the second and got our tries.

"I believe we are in a much better place returning to senior rugby from where we were when we came down.

"We have strength and depth in the club and we can give it a really good stab next season."