Derry City close in on signing Barnsley fullback Barry Cotter

The 27 year-old Ennis native was also a target of Stephen Kenny who was keen to bring the player to St Patrick's Athletic where he enjoyed a short loan spell from Shamrock Rovers before sealing a deal with Barnsley in 2023.

St Pat's and Waterford were all exploring the possibility of signing Cotter who is currently on loan at Notts County but Derry is understood to have increased their interest and negotiated a loan deal for the right-sided full-back whose contract with Barnsley expires at the end of the season.

It would be another significant signing for Lynch who has been hoping to strengthen his right-back options. Alex Bannon deputised in the right-back position during Derry City's 1-0 President's Cup victory over Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght on Sunday while Conor Barr and Cameron Dummigan are among his only other options.

Cotter, who started his career with Limerick before moving to Ipswich Town, has made 71 appearances for Barnsley and scored four times but Tykes boss Conor Hourihane is willing to sanction another loan move.