'You're not going to replace him': Former Larne star calls for collective goal effort following 'huge loss'
Former Larne striker David McDaid believes Andy Ryan’s departure has been a “huge loss” for the reigning Premiership champions – and insists they need to find goals from all areas of the pitch to help limit the impact of his exit.
Ryan arrived at Inver Park from Hamilton Academical in January 2023 and established himself as one of the Irish League’s top marksmen.
The Scottish striker scored 70 goals in 121 appearances across all competitions for the Inver Reds, playing a key role in their three Gibson Cup triumphs – Ryan finished the 2023/24 campaign as the league’s top scorer with 24.
Ryan also famously netted a memorable hat-trick as Larne created Irish League history by becoming the first team to seal Conference League qualification with a play-off victory over Lincoln Red Imps in 2024.
The 31-year-old returned from a long-term injury last season to score 16 goals in 17 league appearances as Gary Haveron’s side reclaimed the title, finishing three points ahead of Coleraine.
Ryan departed Inver Park during the summer, returning to Scotland with former club Hamilton, and has continued his fine goal record, netting seven in 13 matches so far this term.
Larne have won just two of their last six Premiership fixtures, and while Ryan expertly carried the weight of goal expectations in recent seasons, McDaid believes a greater collective effort is required in his absence.
“Larne had lost two games this year up until Friday night against Coleraine and Linfield – they led in both of those,” McDaid told the News Letter. “They're not too far off.
"I know they drew against Limavady and they haven’t been winning matches by three or four goals, but over the years, Larne don’t really do that, they bank on their defence.
"It's too early in the season to say where teams are at, but I do think Larne need to start scoring more goals from all over the pitch to help with the loss of Andy Ryan, he was a huge loss.
"You're not going to go out and replace him with only one player, I don't think it's possible, but bringing in players who can score 10, 15 goals, the likes of Leroy Millar getting back to his best scoring 10 goals, a centre-half pitching in with four or five, it all helps.
"I don't think you're going to be in a position to go and sign a striker that's going to score you 30 goals.”
The current campaign is already set up for an exciting race at both ends of the table with Linfield, Coleraine and Larne expected to battle for the Gibson Cup, and McDaid has enjoyed watching the action with this his first season out of the Premiership.
"It's unbelievable,” added McDaid. “Even at the bottom as well, it feels like anybody can beat anybody.
"The likes of Limavady coming up has been brilliant for the league, they're doing really well.
"Ballymena have been inconsistent, winning and losing games, Bangor are very good at home, I've really enjoyed this year.
"It's my first year out of the league and I'm enjoying being able to watch it without having blinkers on or being biased about it.”