Derry City snap up Kilmarnock goalkeeper Eddie Beach on short term loan deal
TIERNAN Lynch has snapped up highly-rated goalkeeper Eddie Beach on short term loan deal from Scottish Premier League outfit Kilmarnock, just in time for Friday night’s visit of Bohemians to Brandywell.
The Derry City boss praised the club's chairman Philip O'Doherty and Board of Directors for working quickly to find a temporary replacement for Brian Maher who will be sidelined for the next month with a broken bone in his wrist.
Former Wales U21 international Beach, was on the books at Chelsea before signing a two-year deal with Kilmarnock last summer and has made eight first team appearances in the current season.
The 22-year old came through the Academy system at both Southampton and Chelsea, and made 20 appearances for Chelmsford City while on loan from Stamford Bridge. He will be at Brandywell until the summer.
Beach has been training with the Derry squad this week and is expected to come straight into the team for Friday’s crunch clash with Bohs.
"It's common knowledge now that Brian Maher is out for a number of weeks," said Lynch.
"There's been lots of work going on behind the scenes and great credit to the club for how quickly they’ve moved to bring someone in."
Maher has been a mainstay between the sticks for Derry since arriving from Bray back in 2021 and was in line for his 135th consecutive appearance for the club before succumbing to an injury which was originally sustained in the pre-season camp in Spain last month.
Teenager Shea Callister replaced him for his professional debut in the 2-2 draw against Dundalk last week and performed admirably. Lynch believes the Liverpudlian will have grown from his Brandywell bow and has a 'bright future' in the game.
"We knew it was always going to be a big game for the kid," said Lynch. "He only found out the day of the game that he was going to be involved. He loved every minute of the opportunity.
"I think he will be better off after a game under his belt and playing in front of the 'Brandywell Faithful'. Now he knows what it's all about and what to expect. He's a good keeper with a bright future."
Beach has suitably impressed Lynch and goalkeeping coach Anthony Fennelly since his arrival and is likely to get the nod ahead of Callister against the Gypsies.
Meanwhile, Lynch is understood to be attempting to tie up a deal for Barnsley full-back Barry Cotter before Sunday's League of Ireland transfer window deadline.
The 26 year-old former Shamrock Rovers man has been on loan at Notts County since the summer of last year and has been on the radar of Lynch for the past couple of months.