Rogers set for new season with Dundalk

Bohermeen man Gary Rogers is in line for two awards in January - the Irish Soccer Writers' Association (ISWA) Goalkeeper of the Year award (Friday 11th January) and the Meath Sportsperson of the Year (18th January).

Three goalkeepers have been shortlisted for the ISWA award - Gary Rogers (Dundalk), Shane Supple (Bohemian FC) and Cork City's Mark McNulty.

Rogers previously won the award in 2012, when he was with Sligo Rovers, and in 2015 with his current team, Dundalk. 

Rogers is also among the contenders for the Meath Chronicle Sportsperson of the Year at the Meath Sports Awards in the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, also in January.

Rogers is among the contenders again after claiming the November Sportsperson of the Month accolade following Dundalk's 2-1 victory over Cork City in the FAI Cup final to clinch the double. Rogers won the 2015 Meath Sportsperson of the Year award.  

"We are due back on 5th January for pre-season training, but during the close season we have regular tests just to see where we are at in terms of our fitness," he explained as he looked forward to the start of the new season.

Dundalk will kick-off with the President's Cup against Cork City at Turner's Cross on Saturday 9th February 5.30pm and will start the defence of the Premier title a week later against Sligo Rovers.

Rogers' understudy at Oriel Park for 2019 will be Ross Treacy from Navan who statred with Parkvilla.
 
While Rogers and Treacy will be staying with the Co Louth club, along with Athboy's Jamie McGrath, one Meath player who has moved is Georgie Poynton who has signed for St Patrick's Athletic.

Young Skryne man James Finnerty, who had a spell at Aston Villa, has signed for Bohemians, a club who have shown sustained spells of progress under manager Keith Long. 

SATURDAY 9th FEBRURY 
President's Cup - Cork City v Dundalk, 5.30pm at Turner's Cross.

FRIDAY 15th FEBRUARY
Premier - Dundalk v Sligo Rovers; Bohemians v Finn Harps; Derry City v UCD; St Patrick's Ath v Cork City; Waterford v Shamrock Rovers.
FRIDAY 22nd FEBRUARY
Premier - Finn Harps v Dundalk; Shamrock Rovers v Derry City; UCD v Bohemians; Cork City v Waterford; Sligo Rovers v St Patrick's Ath.