Larne Appoints Gary Haveron as Head Coach, Nathan Rooney Transitions to Head of Football Role

Gary Haveron has been named as Larne’s new head coach, following a reorganization that sees Nathan Rooney transition into the position of head of football. Haveron previously served as Rooney’s assistant during Rooney’s short tenure. Rooney had been recruited from the Gibraltar-based club Bruno’s Magpies to succeed Tiernan Lynch as head coach, after Lynch’s departure for Derry City only three weeks prior. This change follows confirmation that Rooney is currently unable to officially manage Larne in their Uefa Conference League matches due to not possessing the necessary licence. Larne chief executive Niall Curneen issued a statement clarifying the restructure, stating: “At the time of his appointment, Nathan believed his previous application to enrol on a Pro Licence, curtailed by Covid-19, allowed him to satisfy the European licensing requirements in the UK.” Curneen added that Rooney “currently has a number of applications pending to enrol in this process and we will review our structures if and when this comes about.” Rooney, the 35-year-old Englishman, officially oversaw only two matches for the club: an Irish Premiership 1-1 draw against Cliftonville at Inver Park and a 5-0 BetMcLean Cup victory over Annagh United. Haveron, who was Rooney’s assistant, managed Larne during their Conference League losses to Olimpija and Dinamo Minsk. Haveron previously served as Carrick manager for three years, followed by a 17-month tenure at the Glens, before joining former boss Lynch’s coaching staff in April 2023. His inaugural match as the official head coach will be Larne’s concluding Conference League fixture at home against Gent on Thursday night. Larne also announced that former midfielder Andy Mitchell has departed from his position as youth technical director to “take a senior coaching staff role elsewhere.” Curneen commented on Mitchell, stating: “He has worked tirelessly to establish a number of structures below first team level which will enable us to continue to grow.” He further added: “Our academy and scholarship programme is a huge part of our plans and will continue to be so going forward.” Curneen clarified that “Our previous manager Tiernan Lynch held the role of manager as well as head of football operations and Nathan will slot into this role of head of football.” Larne’s next fixture is scheduled for Thursday evening, when they will host Belgian side Gent in their final Conference League match.