When Gary Haveron was appointed Larne boss following a successful interim run, words of wisdom from Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill quickly returned to the forefront of his mind.

It was during Haveron’s time on the UEFA Pro Licence course when O’Neill was brought in for a conversation with candidates, sharing lessons learned from a successful career in both club and international management.

Something which stuck with Haveron was advice around forming backroom staff, and in particular appointing an assistant, with O’Neill saying a number two should share similar values but “think slightly different than you”.

Haveron brought former Northern Ireland internationals Jeff Hughes and Alan Mannus on board alongside a Premiership title winner in Keith O’Hara, but one very important position still needed to be filled.

placeholder image — Larne manager Gary Haveron celebrates winning the Premiership title. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

While that quartet have played thousands of games throughout their careers, either in the Irish League or across the water, Haveron promoted Michael O’Boyle from his role as Head of Athletic Development to assistant manager.

O’Boyle graduated with a degree in Sports Therapy before initially joining Larne as their head sports therapist in 2019 as the Inver Reds looked to continue their journey towards greater professionalism.

In his role, O’Boyle developed close relationships with players, providing consistent encouragement through tough spells on the sidelines and ensured Larne’s top talent remained healthy in order to achieve the club’s historic feats.

He perfectly fills O’Neill’s suggested difference requirement, and while Haveron knows “people raised eyebrows” at O’Boyle’s appointment, he feels the coaching staff complemented each other perfectly throughout another title run.

"I just couldn't be prouder of the staff,” he said. “Keith O'Hara, Jeff Hughes, Alan Mannus, you don't get three better people than that, I’m so lucky to be working with them.

"Mick O'Boyle, my physio, my assistant manager, people raised eyebrows with it but he's exceptional at what he does.

"Michael O'Neill did a talk on the Pro Licence and he talked about your staff and what it looks like – he said get somebody that you think is slightly different than you.

"Geoff, Keith, Alan and I are very similar in how we see things, Mick sees it different, that's what he brings to our group and that's why I have him in the position that he is...he's pivotal to what we've done and he's been exceptional this year.

"Mark Campbell, our analyst, Callum Critchley and the physios, Owen Rocks, just amazing people, working in an amazing environment that we are afforded by our ownership group.

"They're just incredible people, I'm blessed and lucky to work with them and our players, they're just exceptional.

"I would not want to part with any one of them, they're unbelievable people, professionals, family people who care so much, and I just want them to enjoy the next few days.”

Haveron was part of Tiernan Lynch’s backroom staff as Larne created club history by winning consecutive Premiership titles in 2023 and 2024, but the former Glentoran chief is now a title-winning manager in his own right.

While nearest rivals Coleraine and Glentoran made a significant splash in the transfer market throughout this season, Haveron insists Larne had to slash their budget – Ronan Doherty was the sole January arrival at Inver Park.

It was partly due to player recruitment, alongside Kenny Bruce selling his ownership stake and Nathan Rooney’s exit after one league match, that Larne were widely disregarded for another Gibson Cup bid, but Haveron feels that outlook worked in his side’s favour.

"We had to cut our cloth accordingly and we have this year,” he added. “People make a lot about things, spending and whatever else – we've drastically cut our budget this year, we've cut it back considerably, yet we've still been competitive.

"Sustainability is a long-term goal, of course it is, but with this group of players, anything's possible.

"I think because we were wrote off by so many people...I don't think too many give us much of a look in and that maybe played in our favour.

"It worked for us that we were just able to get on with our work and that's how you want it to be – you want to be left alone to work and that's what we've done.

"We work really hard. They deserve this here, everybody at the club that works in the background to support our staff, to support the players.

"Gareth Clements (chairman) wasn’t here today unfortunately, he was struck down with illness a couple of days ago, and I'm heartbroken for him because this would have meant so much to him.

"He has played such a pivotal part at this football club and he'll continue to. He's a great lad, great person, and nobody bangs the drum harder for Larne than Gareth.”