In January 1987 Derek Rogers moved from the capital to play for Galway United. Rogers has lived in the west of Ireland ever since, becoming more of a Galwegian than the locals themselves.
Decades later Rogers remains an avid follower of the domestic game, but the eighties and early nineties form a particularly exciting period in United’s history.
“I really took to Galway straightaway,” Rogers recalls. “I remember Tony Mannion, I was very lucky that he brought me down.
“From there I have never really looked back. I went straight into the team more or less at the time, we had a really good team, we were challenging. There was such a buzz around Galway, the team was really, really good. I thought it was like heaven.”
Like many others, Mannion’s desire captured Rogers’ imagination. “He certainly did, he opened my eyes to football, how it should be played,” Rogers says.
“What drove it on was his passion for the game. John showed it too, his brother. They really brought you places that you probably would not have gone naturally, they encouraged you to go out to play, to go out to fight for the ball.
“They were the type of traits that were not in my game that Tony Mannion was possibly able to bring out in me.”
A good footballing education received at St Mochta’s and St Gerald’s meant Rogers switched to the fabled Home Farm nursery. Republic of Ireland underage caps were accumulated, but Rogers wanted to make an impact in the senior game.
“Home Farm, at the time had a League of Ireland team, I was getting in there a bit,” Rogers explains.
“Brian Kerr was actually the manager, Noel O'Reilly and Liam Tuohy were heavily involved. I had experience with really good managers, they brought me on a lot, I thought. Unfortunately when you come to League of Ireland level, it is a different kettle of fish.
“Certainly at the time it was difficult to get a permanent spot in any League of Ireland team, that is why I was lucky to get the opportunity to come to Galway.
“The quality of players in Galway absolutely astounded me. You had Stephen Lally, Noel Mernagh - I don't want to leave anyone out - Jimmy Nolan, Kevin Cassidy, Gerry Mullan, Donnie Farragher, John Brennan, John Mannion - I could keep going, loads and loads of players.
“They were not just top fellas, they were really, really good players with great attitudes. Most importantly, just great fun.”
With Mannion at the helm, United were respected throughout the land. Rogers relished the adventure.
“All I can remember was the build up to the game every week, the hype that was in it,” he says. “We had a very, very competitive squad and you only had two subs at the time. So you were only talking about 13 players being involved.
“Realistically we had a panel of 26 - 30 players that were all very good. The second team played in the Connacht Senior League, they were highly competitive.”
Rogers spent a decade wearing maroon, famously captaining United to League Cup success on New Year's Day, 1997. United have failed to hoist silverware since, but Rogers remains optimistic about the overall health of the sport Corribside.
“When I look at the Irish squad, having three Galway players on the Irish squad, not too many counties will have that. I think there is so much more potential to come. I am involved with the local leagues, I see the talent coming through.
Rogers hopes United can return to the top flight soon. “I genuinely feel the club is a sleeping giant, we have said it for numerous years when we would be talking ourselves.
“I think eventually we will be, but it is going to take time and patience. Certainly it is going to be one of these situations where it will be a long road to get there. Then, if you do get there, you have to stay up there.”
**Listen to the full interview with Derek Rogers on this week’s ‘Cian On Sport’ podcast available on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Apple podcasts.
