Rogers wants more European adventures

From Brian T Farrell at the Netanya Stadium

As Gary Rogers reflected on a remarkable season with Dundalk just after his side’s 2-1 loss to Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday, the Lilywhite net minder was already looking forward to what is in store for the League of Ireland champions next season.

There was obvious dissappointment for the ‘keeper that Dundalk couldn’t get a result that would have seen them through to the last 32 of the Europa League. As it happened though, with AZ Alkmaar beating Zenit St. Petersburg in the Netherlands, the result in Israel was immaterial for Dundalk’s chances of progression.

“Macaabi were definitely up for it,” said Rogers. “You could see the quality in them tonight but that's not to take away from us. We showed we can go and score. We scored against all the teams in the group stages which is a massive positive for us.

“All you can try and do is to learn from your mistakes made during the campaign and look forward to next year's European journey.”

Rogers, who was called into the Republic of Ireland squad during the season, has been a League of Ireland winner four times. He previously played in Europe representing both St. Patricks Athletic and Sligo Rovers and loves the thrill of playing top sides in European competition.

The Lilywhites will be looking to go one better next season by qualifying for the Champions League group stages – they only fell at the last hurdle in their attempt to make the top tier of the European club game this year.

"We just have to be stronger for next season. It has given us all the taste of European football and you want the right to go and play top clubs and big teams. We want to be there next season but in order to do that we have to be in the best shape possible.

“In general, it's been disappointment tonight but you have to congratulate AZ on them going and getting their result,” he added graciously. For now though there is a well earned rest in store for Rogers and his team mates.

"I'm going away on Saturday and most of the lads are going away, so it will give us all a bit of time off, before being back in training in January when we start again.”