THE FIXTURES ARE coming thick and fast for Dundalk due to their exploits in Europe this season.
Tonight’s SSE Airtricity League Premier Division game with Bohemians will be the Lilywhites’ fourth in ten days, and they’re back in league action on Tuesday with a trip to the Showgrounds to take on Sligo Rovers.
And it’s a particularly busy period for Gary Rogers as he was called up to the Ireland squad as third choice goalkeeper for their World Cup qualifier with Serbia.
The 34-year-old was present at today’s training session in Dublin but sat it out as he is set to mind nets for his club at Dalymount Park.
“I’m hooking up with Dundalk tonight against Bohemians, then after the game I’ll be heading to the Ireland team hotel to fly to Serbia on Saturday,” Rogers told the media today.
“I’ll be back for the game against Sligo on Tuesday. So it’s busy but I’m looking forward to it.”
Rogers is unlikely to earn his first senior cap in Belgrade on Monday, but the Meath man sees the experience as a great opportunity and praised Martin O’Neill’s group of players.
I’ve been welcomed into the group before and enjoyed it. They’re a great bunch of lads and you can understand why they did so well at the Euros with the camaraderie and the team spirit here.”
Having won the league/cup double with Dundalk, defeated BATE Borisov in the Champions League qualifiers, secured a place in the Europa League group stages and received international recognition, Rogers is thankful of how the past 12 months have panned out.
“It’s been a remarkable year for me personally and also the club,” he said. “You have to embrace the challenge and all the game we have coming up. There is no greater honour than to be joining up with your country and representing it at this level. It’s fantastic.”
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Throw McClean up against ivanovic on the wing and McClean will make him look like shit
Serbs are expecting us to sit back, let’s hope we do not, let’s play high tempo and put the shitz up them
I’m after losing interest in this match for the fact that MON has put loyalty ahead of picking some of our better performing players.
Like who?
You’ll probably say they are tripe then join the tournament bandwagon
Other than mcgeady (who is really only there because no one else creative has put their hand up – or is fit (judge)), I don’t think anyone is in that squad due to loyalty alone?
Not too many were unlucky to miss out either – maybe pilkington, mason, Egan and Doherty are the only ones I can think of….?
John Egan,Matt Doherty and Conor Hourihane are currently playing better and are 23,24 and 25 respectively so they are not exactly kids.Its a shame that these lads could end up like Weso making their debut in their latter years.
Connor Sammon, of course.
I think the idea behind this squad is trying to keep the Euros form rolling. It would be hard to get Egan, Doherty and Hourihane up to speed with just a friendly against Oman. We actually have a lot of options at centre back and in midfield, so calling up Egan and Hourihane would be a bit pointless outside of giving them exposure. Every minute you spend getting them up to speed is a minute that could be spent preparing for Serbia.
@Ewan
We can have a million options but the players I mentioned are better than who MON has in the squad according to current stats.Also I don’t know what ‘up to speed’ you are on about,these lads are starting for their clubs,are club captains and are scoring goals.
Hourihane has played what 4-5 games in the championship and you want him
In ahead of lads that start for their clubs in the prem (and other than Hendrick also did last year)??
Same with Egan….
I think it’s a bit too much to be expecting such a quick step up to international football (though I’d agree I’d like to see them in squad).
Re Doherty having been watched both Christie and him, for me Christie offers more….. Particularly with his lacs given the lack of pace across the rest of the back 4!
It always frustrates me how good players are before they are called up for us.
Glenn whelan was an absolute super star when he was captaining Wednesday and not getting called up for us….. Daryl Murphy, Gibson, ward, McCarthy, Sheridan – were all much better players before they were given a chance and then suddenly once they were people were asking why they kept being picked!!
@Augustus
I gave you their ages above.When do we give these players their first cap.Do we wait till they turn 30?.
Either in a friendly – or if it’s a competitive match (this match is huge for the entire campaign) when they have clearly shown they are the best options available. 4-5 games at the same or a level below those they are competing with, isn’t clearly showing it…..
O,Connell at Celtic Horgan at Dundalk to name 2
Serbians