Sean Ward believes Tiernan Lynch's 'meticulous' attention to detail was always going to reap reward at Larne.
The Invermen clinched the Premiership title on Friday night, the first in the club's 134-year history.
Lynch came into the job in 2017 when Larne were wallowing in the Championship, but with the support of owner Kenny Bruce the club rose from the ashes to become kingpins of the Irish League.
Read more: Sean Ward picks ex-manager who was 'tactically the best' he's ever worked with
Promotion to the top flight, three back-to-back County Antrim Shields, and now the holy grail of local football - the Gibson Cup. And to add gloss to the success, Champions League football is coming to Inver Park.
Ward benefited from Lynch's early coaching methods during their time at Glentoran, when the now Larne manager was part of Eddie Patterson's Oval backroom team. That debt-ridden Glens team won two Irish Cups - in 2013 and '15 - under a cloud of financial uncertainty.
"I think you have to admire everything Larne have achieved. I had the luxury of playing under Tiernan when he was at Glentoran and saw how meticulous he was in training," Ward recalls.
"We always looked at shape and patterns of play during training, and I hated it as a player. We were only in on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and we wanted to play these small-sided games and 5-a-side.
"But I understand now that is not the way it should be. But Tiernan was always so far ahead and always wanted more and wanted better.
"And someone like Andy Waterworth. His success was down to his undoubted talent, but Tiernan played such a big part in Andy's rejuvenation at Glentoran because he cares so much about football.
"He loves football and admires the game, and puts so much into it. Any time we play Larne we're always shouting at each other and slabbering at each other.
"But he wants to win games of football."
Ward believes Kenny Bruce's faith in Lynch and the community culture at Larne have been key to the club's rise.
Lynch has come under fire at different times in his tenure, but Bruce has remained unmoved by the terrace pressure and media spotlight.
Ward added: "You talk about boards of directors and chairmen pulling the trigger, with the investment that went into Larne they are such a well-drilled community club now.
"Attendances have hugely improved, they have the academy for the kids. They have ambassador roles in place, so there is a real culture being built there.
"And that stems from Tiernan's drive and from when he worked at Belfast Met. He always envisioned the full-time academy and he has brought it to life.
"And it was only a matter of time before Larne won a league title, something they have never done. It is an incredible story and my hat goes off to them."
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