Sligo holds a special place in Rogers’ heart

Former Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Gary Rogers remembers his time with the Bit o’Red fondly.

Rogers kept his seventh clean sheet of the season on Saturday night as Dundalk were 2-0 winners over Rovers at The Showgrounds.

He is yet to concede a goal this season.

His appearance against Sligo Rovers was the 501st league game of his career. Winning the league with Rovers is among the highlights of his career.

“To win the league in Sligo, that was special”, he recalls. “It wouldn’t have been my best performance on the day we won it against St Pat’s but to go and achieve something that hadn’t been achieved in my career was so special.

“I really enjoyed my football up there. We were successful in terms of trophies and my first daughter was born in Sligo so it is a really important place for me.”

“I’ve had great times with Dundalk in Europe but winning the league at the Showgrounds was really one of the good ones.”

The 36-year-old says he has no intention of retiring just yet.

“I’m getting things in place for the future but I’ve no intention of finishing up for another couple of years. Bar an injury, I’m going to try and keep it going.”

His former team-mate Alan Keane described him as a ‘fine wine’ and ‘getting better with age’ on live commentary for Ocean FM.

“I think with goalkeeping, you improve with age and experience. You become more comfortable in your position. I’m enjoying it more than ever now because I’m relaxed and I’m not trying to impress anyone like when I was younger.”