Lynch declines to comment on McClean's 'issues' post
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Irish Premier Division
St Patrick's Athletic 1 - 1 Derry City FT
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James McClean did not feature in Thursday's European loss to Rijeka or in Sunday's draw with St Patrick's Athletic [Getty Images]Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch did not comment on James McClean's social media about "issues at the club", which came after the Candystripes' European exit on Thursday.
Lynch was speaking after Derry's 1-1 draw at St Patrick's Athletic on Sunday in the League of Ireland Premier Division, for which McClean was not included.
The former Republic of Ireland international did not feature in Thursday's defeat by Croatian side Rijeka in their two-legged Uefa Conference League tie, and took to Instagram after the game to voice his dissatisfaction with the lack of progress in Europe.
McClean, who rejoined his hometown club from Wrexham in January, said on an Instagram story that "the lads aren't losing these games based on lack of effort. So clearly there is an issue somewhere".
It is not the first time McClean has voiced his concerns about the club, who finished second in the table last season but languish in sixth place in the current campaign.
"My job is to concentrate with what is going on on the field, and I couldn't be more proud of the bunch of boys in there," Lynch said when asked about McClean's comments.
"I couldn't be more proud of them over the past four or five weeks with the games that they have played against really difficult opposition."
James Clarke scored a superb equaliser with 18 minutes remaining after St Pat's failed to clear a corner.
St Pat's, who are managed by former Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny, led in the first half through Aidan Keena's penalty in the 23rd minute, which came after goalkeeper Brian Maher was deemed to have fouled Darragh Nugent in the area.
The draw is Derry City's 12th in 26 league matches this season, and leaves Tiernan Lynch's side sixth in the table, some 21 points off leaders Shamrock Rovers.
"In the first half there was definitely an element of a European hangover," added Lynch.
"We didn't really get going, but we're hugely disappointed in the penalty that was given."
Derry are next in action at home to Sligo Rovers on Friday as they look to get back to winning ways.