Seasons don’t get much better than it did for Letterkenny Rovers last time out, securing a domestic treble and April’s Sports Personality of the Month Chris Malseed had a big part to play in it.

In their first season back in the league, the Leckview Park residents went unbeaten to seal the Premier Division title, finishing eight points clear of nearest rivals Bonagee United in second place.

The Letterkenny club went on to triumph in the Ulster Junior Cup Final against Kildrum Tigers and the Brian McCormick Sports Cup Final against Castlefin Celtic to cap off a memorable season which Chris Malseed described as the best he’s ever had.

“It was brilliant, the best season that I’ve ever had in football. For the club as well it’s probably the most successful that they have been. To go unbeaten as well, I don’t think it’s been done before by anyone in the county so it was massive.”

To go unbeaten in all competitions is no mean feat and would certainly demand an abundance of dedication and commitment.

The Letterkenny Rovers defender stated that it was a massive effort from everyone involved to achieve this feat, with every player playing their part throughout the campaign.

“We had a serious squad, right from one to twenty and even boys we were pulling in from the Saturday team, it was a massive effort by everyone involved.”

“One of the days we got the trophies as well, we had the boys there from the last team to win the Donegal League to come and celebrate along with us so it was massive for everybody involved.”

It’s been quite the journey for the Letterkenny club over the last few years. The Letterkenny side returned to the Donegal Junior League for the 2023/24 campaign where they secured Division 1 and the Brian McCormick Sports Cup.

They backed this up with the unbeaten season last time out. Malseed stated that it highlights the positive work that’s currently going on at Leckview Park, labelling it as a tribute to everyone who keeps the club moving forward.

“Absolutely, we did the double last year when we were in Division 1, we won the Brian McCormick Cup as well. To then go up and win the treble while going unbeaten, it just shows the squad that’s in place and the club as a whole has so many things going on.”

“It’s a tribute to everyone that’s putting the hand to the wheel and pushing the whole thing on.”

As well as the team silverware, Malseed was recognised with a personal accolade last season as he landed the Premier Division Player of the Year Award.

Chris stated that he was shocked to be named Player of the Season but expressed that it was a real honour to receive an award like it.

“Personally it was brilliant. I was shocked on the night at the Donegal League Awards to get that. It could’ve gone to anybody on our squad, it was a real honour to get it. I was there that long and to cap it off like that was beautiful for myself.”

It was a fitting end to what’s been a stellar career for Malseed. The Letterkenny Rovers man picked up an ACL injury at the end of last season which he said cemented a retirement decision which was already predominantly made.

Although he won’t be with them on the pitch, he’s certain to still be with the club on the sideline as he expressed that he’ll now be one of the team’s biggest fans as he watches them try and defend their crowns from last season’s heroics.

“I got a knee injury at the end of the year and I’m just after ACL surgery six weeks ago so that cemented my decision. My decision was 99% made anyway but that cemented it”, said Malseed.

He continued, I’ll be one of the biggest fans involved now. They’ve a big game now against Bonagee this Sunday and they’re the games that I’ll miss the most playing in the most, the local derbies. I’d say it’ll take a good team to beat Letterkenny this year again.”