Dundalk get Europa League boost as Gary Rogers signs new deal
Credit: Eoin Smith (ETPhotos)
Champions Dundalk have been boosted ahead of their crunch Europa League encounter with Maccabi Tel Aviv by the news goalkeeper Gary Rogers has signed a new deal.
Goalkeeper Rogers, who joined the club ahead of the 2015 season and has been the custodian for successive title successes, is set to begin his 19th season in the League of Ireland.
The custodian began his League of Ireland career with St Francis after coming through the youth teams in the Liberties.
The Meathman had spells with Drogheda United, Dublin City, Bray Wanderers, Galway United and St Patrick's Athletic before joining Sligo Rovers for their title-winning season in 2012.
He spent three seasons at the Showgrounds before making the switch to Dundalk, during which time he's competed in the Europa League and been called up to the full Republic of Ireland squad.
“It’s great to get it done, delighted to continue my career with Dundalk. I wanted to stay so to get things sorted is great,” Rogers told the Lilywhites' official website.
“It has been terrific at the club. The first year we won the double and then retain the league title this season was brilliant.
“The three-in-a-row was something that we targeted at the start of the year so to do that was fantastic. The European achievements have been great but we are hoping there is more to come. We aren’t finished yet.
“This year nearly every game we have played has been one of the biggest games of our careers! When you think of the first games against FH, then the BATE games and the Legia Warsaw matches.
“The group stage as well they have all been big matches but when you think of what is at stake next week – to go through to the last 32 of the Europa League it’s a fantastic opportunity.
“If we can grasp that it would be the biggest achievement of all our careers – it’d be incredible.”
Rogers is the sixth player to commit to Dundalk for 2017, joining captain Stephen O'Donnell, Brian Gartland, Chris Shields, Patrick McEleney and Georgie Poynton.
