Larne talisman Leroy Millar revealed “people were saying I came here for the wrong reasons” – but feels his decision to join the Inver Reds has been more than vindicated after winning a third Premiership title at Inver Park.

Millar arrived at the Co Antrim club from Ballymena United in 2022 and was named NIFWA Premiership Player of the Year for his role in Larne’s historic maiden Gibson Cup triumph during a memorable first season.

The 30-year-old was once again an integral member of a Larne squad which successfully defended their crown 12 months later. but then missed the entirety of last term through injury.

Millar returned to action in October and registered 24 league appearances as Gary Haveron’s side reclaimed their Irish League throne, finishing three points clear of Coleraine at the summit.

placeholder image — Larne lift the Gibson Cup at Inver Park. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

Larne’s vice-captain Millar spent 11 years at Ballymena before joining an ambitious Inver Park project, and while his motivations were questioned by some, he’s clear the sole factor behind the transfer was winning silverware – a feat which he has now enjoyed on multiple occasions.

"I came here to win things,” he said. “People were saying I came here for the wrong reasons, they said that I wouldn't play.

"I backed myself. I knew I was coming here for the right reasons. I wanted to win trophies, I've done that, and I want more.

"We probably did make hard work of it, but we got it over the line – that's the mentality and the character we have in this squad.

"You hear a lot of talk, we weren't mentioned (for the league), people were saying we were going to drop out of the top-six and this and that.

"It's outside noise...when we went ahead and we looked like we should have won it earlier, you have to just block it all out.

"Finally, we got it over the line and we're buzzing with it.

"We missed out last year. The (Conference League) group stages probably killed us a wee bit, we didn't know how to manage it, but we'll learn.

"Hopefully, this year, we can go again, try and get group stages and manage it better and try and replicate what we've done this year.”

Larne dealt with a number of injuries to key players throughout this season, including star striker Andy Ryan, who only returned in late-December, while Mark Randall missed a number of months after a fine start to the current campaign.

Millar has also been absent at various stages – he didn’t play for almost a month prior to a crunch showdown with Glentoran on April 17 – and he admits lifting another league title is even sweeter after enduring a tough time.

"On a personal note, I missed a lot of football...I missed 18 months,” he added. “Winning the league, it feels good.

"It was a tough time mentally.

"Everyone that dealt with me, all the physios in and around it, Callum Critchley, Owen Rocks, especially Michael Boyle. He's been back and forth down in Dublin with me for a lot of appointments. It makes it all worthwhile.”