Letterkenny Rovers and Chris Malseed aiming to add cup success to Division 1 title

With the Donegal Junior Football League TDA Repairs Division 1 title already in the bag, Letterkenny Rovers go in search of further silverware in the Ulster Junior Cup final this evening, Saturday, 6pm.

Stephen McConnell’s side take on Buncrana Hearts from the Inishowen League Premier Division at Ballyare ahead of an appointment against Bonagee United in the area final of the Brian McCormick Sports Cup.

Rovers sealed the league title two weeks ago with a 3-1 win over Donegal Town, before losing for the first time this season domestically, 2-1 at Gweedore United, who avenged a last-four loss in the Ulster Junior Cup. Before that, a 2-2 draw against Glenea United at the Aura Centre in November was Letterkenny's only points dropped all season.

“From the start of the year, the aim was to get promoted and if the chance came, to win the league,” joint-captain Chris Malseed, who shares the duties with Ronan Curran, said. “We managed that and we’re still in two domestic cups.”

Malseed, now 37, has the experience to draw upon. He was an Ulster Senior League champion as far back as 2004/05 under Danny McConnell, a year on from making his debut in the FAI Intermediate Cup against Tullamore. Spells at Finn Harps and Stirling Albion whilst studying in Edinburgh, before winning a Donegal League Premier Division with Drumoghill FC in 2015/16, as well as coming second twice.

However, the Malseed family have a lineage with Letterkenny Rovers and there’s a chance to add to the club’s recent silverware.

“There’s a lot of young talent coming through now,” Malseed said. “When I first came through there was the likes of John Greig, Maurice Lafferty, Paddy McDaid, Gary Heaney and Michael Lynch here. They were a great help to me. They did the nurturing at the time, so I feel like it’s myself, Christy Connaghan, Blake Forkan, Mark McGinley and Ryan Lonergan are the ones who have the responsibility. I’m not sure how many years we have left but the future is in safe hands.

“The Premier Division is where you want to be. Cockhill dominated the league although overuselves and Bonagee did win the odd cup. Now, we’re back in the Donegal League and we would feel we would belong in the Premier Division and we’re both there now. That's for next year though, this year now is about the cups.”

Gary Duffy’s Buncrana last weekend saw neighbours and rivals Cockhill Celtic lift the Jackie Crossan Premier Division title with a 2-0 win at Greencastle. It meant the side managed by Gavin Cullen, with one game to play, still have a 100 percent record.
For their part at Castle Park, Buncrana were 3-0 down against Illies Celtic before completing a remarkable comeback to win 4-3, with Kieran McDaid scoring two, Zach McFadden levelling it and the winner coming from Aaron McDaid. Buncrana’s 13 wins from 15 games is not to be frowned upon. In the semi-final of the Ulster Junior Cup, Buncrana defeated Cockhill 4-2 on penalties following a 0-0 draw.