London senior hurling team manager Neil Rogers. Photo by Sheila Fernandes/London GAA
Click here to listen to the interview with London senior hurling team manager Neil Rogers.
By Cian O’Connell
These are encouraging times for the London senior hurling team. An Allianz League Division Three Final against Mayo is next on the agenda for Neil Rogers’ improving outfit.
The former Birr and Offaly player is in his second campaign as the London boss, having previously operated as coach. Significant lessons have been learned along the way. That is simply part of the sporting journey: dealing with changed circumstances.
So, Rogers is really, willing, and able to adapt. “We made four big changes, as such,” Rogers says. “The big one was that Anthony Nash moved over at the end of the year. We were in touch with him. Over a few discussions, eventually he decided to come on board. That was obviously a huge thing.
“We got a new facility in Hazelwood, London Irish, the rugby team, their ground. There is a full-sized floodlit GAA pitch, which we've never had before. We've had good facilities, but they were rugby sized pitches. So, to be able to play full length matches in training, that is another huge benefit to us.”
Other factors have contributed to London’s rise. “We actually introduced a new S&C crowd which the London footballers had previously, but we didn't have time to get them on board last year,” Rogers adds.
“They're called Arete Performance, they do a lot of work with Premier League teams and Premier League rugby teams. They're very professional, and just by co-incidence they're based out of Hazelwood too. So, we have it all in together down there.
“The final thing, we brought in Matthew Freaney, he is a Craughwell man in to look after the medical and physio side of it. He is taking that to a new level, it seems like nothing, but everything just lines up and it makes it easier to get lads on the pitch. Every little helps.”
Certainly Nash’s awareness and hurling knowledge has been valuable. “Brilliant, the first thing he said to me was 'don't ask me to take goalkeeping sessions',” Rogers’ laughs.
“Eoghan Kelly from Lusmagh, he is our main coach, he is a nephew of the Troys, John and Jim, he is another brilliant hurling mind. He is a brilliant coach. Anthony is brilliant at the structure side of it, taking players one on one to the side, the movement, the smaller things which you mightn't see, but make a huge difference.
“He is brilliant with the lads, he is best friends with them all now. They all look up to him. He's been a huge addition; it is great to have him around.”
Former Cork goalkeeper Anthony Nash is part of Neil Rogers' London senior hurling team management set-up. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile
Momentum matters to London. Winning matches generates belief and instils confidence. “We had Roscommon and Wicklow in our first two games,” Rogers recalls.
“Roscommon beat us in the first round last year. So, we did target that. We had them in Ruislip this year. If we could win a couple of games or two, there was still a couple of lads in the balance, 50-50 whether they were going to commit, but they came on board. Especially in London, a bit of confidence, the bit of enjoyment, and the potential of reaching a final. That is huge for us over here.
“We wouldn't reach them that frequently. Momentum is huge, it sparks a lot of life into training. It has been brilliant. The lads have been absolutely fantastic.”
Gaelic Football clubs in London are investing time and energy developing underage structures. That is being reflected at adult level now, helping to deal with inevitable player turnover issues. “It is difficult, but we know what to expect each year,” Rogers responds.
“For instance, Jack Goulding won Christy Ring Hurler of the Year last year and we're without him this year. He moved to Sydney with his girlfriend, Aoife. Obviously, he was a standout player. The other side of it is we've more potential to gain players.
“We might get lucky as some players might come over. I think we had 39 on the panel last year, of that 39 we only retained 18. We've a smaller panel this year, only 32. So, that meant we had to add 14 to the squad.
“Again, a lot of them lads might have been in London last year, they might have been taking time out. Thankfully, this year they decided to return which happens every year in London.
“The footballers, it is great to see they have 10 or 12 London born players in their squad. It is something London GAA are trying to achieve over here for the hurling team, probably not in the next five or 10 years, but it is something you'd love to see down the line.
“I know they're doing a lot of work, getting back to Ireland with U15 and U17 teams. Hopefully someday soon we will see a London born player line out with the senior team. It would be brilliant to see.”
Ultimately, hurling has brought joy to Rogers life. Medals earned and memories created. “The main thing is the community,” Rogers says.
London's Seán Glynn in Allianz Hurling League action against Sligo. Photo by Phil Hutchinson/London GAA
“In London, it is very easy to get swallowed up here, to disappear off the planet if you're not involved in some way. Personally, I love it. We had great times with Birr. It is great to have hurling over here. St Gabriel's, my club here, were brilliant to me from day one. I always felt I needed to repay them and still do.
“When I was asked to get involved with London through Kevin McMullan, the previous manager, I jumped at it in a coaching capacity. Obviously, Kevin stepped away at the end of 2023, I jumped at the opportunity to step up.
“It was difficult, and I'm probably still a bit on the younger side, but I'm enjoying it. Luckily enough, 95 per cent of the lads in London have bought in and we've all the players we want available. That is all we can ask.”
Undoubtedly, the life of a GAA player, coach or administrator in London can be tough. Nonetheless, there is a desire to improve that makes the graft worth it in the end. “The commute is huge, especially since we went to this new facility,” he says.
“It is a little bit out of the way, but it is worth going to because it is a top class facility. A lot of the lads have to get a Tube to Waterloo in the city and an overground train out to Sunbury and either walk from there for 10 or 15 minutes or jump on a bus to get to Hazelwood.
“None of them have complained, they all seem to be enjoying it a lot. It is part and parcel over here. To be honest, when I was ringing the lads at the start of the year and last year, I'd say to them everybody is here to progress their careers and life.”
Rogers’ approach is to try to facilitate players in every way. “To make a commitment to London hurling, you don't have to commit to be at every training,” he explains.
“You just have to commit to be there for the cause. Lads miss the odd training here and there, which is totally understandable with work commitments. The lads know if they miss a training it isn't going to be held against them. They can do their own bit in the gym.
“Generally, as things have been heating up and as we've been getting a few wins, lads have been declining that option. They're all down fighting for their places at training, and it has been really good.”
Rogers’ role in London’s revival shouldn’t be underestimated.
