Ten years on: Gary Rogers reflects on Dundalk's 'incredible nights' in 2016 European run
Anthony Bravender speaks to former Dundalk FC goalkeeper Gary Rogers as he reflects on his best moments from the club's 2016 UEFA Europa League group stage campaign
There is one memory that immediately comes to mind for former Dundalk FC goalkeeper, Gary Rogers, when he thinks back to the Lilywhites' incredible 2016 UEFA Europa League group stage campaign.
Rogers says what has stayed with him more than any other is when he found himself caught up in the emotion after Robbie Benson's goal against BATE Borisov to guarantee group stage football.
He told the Dundalk Democrat: “Yeah, ten years on I suppose you still remember celebrating. I think I was running to the corner flag for Robbie Benson’s goal where I ran the length of the pitch to celebrate.
“I had never done that before or since, so that is probably the thing that sticks out with me.”
“I wasn’t surprised that we could compete at that level. I think over a number of years the team was getting stronger and had beaten and competed really well with some good teams. We played BATE the previous year and drew with them, so I wasn’t surprised.
“Obviously we knew everyone had to play to their top level to compete at that level, but I think it was something that everyone kind of rose to and embraced.”
Singing in the rain
While most remember the goals from David McMillan and Benson, Rogers remembers the scenes after the final whistle in Tallaght Stadium.
“I think the most memorable thing in Tallaght is everybody celebrating in the rain afterwards.
“I think everyone was just over the moon to know that we had actually achieved the group stages, which was obviously a lot more difficult ten years ago than it probably is now. I think that’s fair to say. But it was just an incredible night with an incredible group.”
Saves
The 44-year-old produced several important saves throughout the campaign, but one in particular against Legia Warsaw still stands above the rest.
“You always have big saves to make in Europe. Probably the best one I made. I don't know whether it’s the most important or not.
“But I think I made one against Legia Warsaw in the away game where their winger cut in on the left-hand side and he curled it with the outside of his boot into the far top corner.
“I tipped it over the crossbar, so that was probably one of the best saves I made in Europe, I think.”
Europe's finest
The Meathman says there were quality players throughout every team they faced; one striker consistently caused problems.
“It’s hard to kind of pinpoint one striker, like I think when you go into European games you are always going to come up against top class players in all different positions.
“But (Vitali) Rodionov from BATE Borisov, the striker, we came up against him twice, and I probably remember him quite well.
“He was really, really sharp and was always a goal threat; he managed to cause a few problems every time we played against him.
“He was a particularly good player, but look, there was loads of good players that we would have come up against, but he is one that sticks out.”
Defence
Consistency was one of the hallmarks of Stephen Kenny's Dundalk side, and the understanding between the Rogers and his back four became one of the team's many strengths.
“There wasn’t much change in defence, maybe one or two changes. I know Paddy Barrett played in some of the European games as well.
“But there was a lot of consistency within the defence and the back four, and everyone kind of knew each other.
“I think it's something that Stephen really focused on. From even the start of pre-season, I remember when I joined the club initially he made sure to play me with the back four that I was going to be playing with throughout the season.
“You get to know each other's strengths and weaknesses, and look, yeah, it was a really good defensive unit over a number of years for sure.”
Great expectations
Rogers recalls how Kenny's constantly challenged the squad to believe they could achieve more than domestic success, with every season planned around competing in Europe.
“Stephen certainly raised the expectations level. I remember when I was signing the thing he was emphasising was Europe straight away.
“He was more or less expecting us to win leagues but wanted to believe and challenge ourselves to go and achieve stuff in Europe. So, there was definitely an emphasis on that, and mid-season breaks there was no such thing as going away on holidays.
“We went on mid-season breaks to prepare for European games, so there was a real focus from Stephen and the group on competing in Europe.”
Strong performances against BATE Borisov the previous year convinced Rogers he was capable of competing against higher-level opposition.
“I think probably the 2015 game away in BATE. I suppose Stephen would have always challenged you to do well in Europe.
“I played particularly well in the home and away game in 2015, which maybe gave me the confidence to believe that I was good enough to play at that level.
“Certainly, that’s probably the moment for me; I played like 12 or 13 games previously before Europe with Sligo and with St Pats.
“But I probably really felt comfortable from then on that I was confident at that level, that I was good enough and able to do my job or whatever else. So yeah, I think maybe the 2015 games against BATE.”
Leadership
Rogers believes one of the team's biggest strengths was the character throughout the squad.
“Looking back on the group ten years on, it was an incredible group. I think what I would say about the team is that it was full of leaders.
“I think you know there could have been 11 captains on that team. There was so many leaders within the group and players who were hungry to do well.
“Even the players that weren’t starting were pushing the others on. Everyone wanted to achieve success and win leagues and cups and do well in Europe.
“So, I think overall it was just a really good mix of players and people that kind of came together at the right time.
“Obviously Stephen was key in cultivating that and bringing all the individuals together. That was an incredible group and really, really fond memories.”
Relive Warsaw
There are plenty of memories Rogers could choose from, but one still stands above the rest.
“If I could relive one memory or moment, I think it would be the Champions League music in the play-off game away in Legia Warsaw. I think we let that game get away from us, maybe in the Aviva, but we certainly showed up in Poland.
“We drew the game 1-1, and obviously we were 1-0 up. Stevie O’Donnell got sent off, I think in that game, but we were kind of going for it, and they equalised late on.
“But I think standing there with the Champions League music playing in that atmosphere, it’s definitely the best atmosphere I’ve played in front of in my career, so I wouldn’t mind reliving that one.”