Neil Rogers in Fitzgibbon Cup action for GMIT in 2010 against LIT's Timmy Dalton.
By Cian O’Connell
Neil Rogers’ passion for hurling endures. The landscape is different in London compared to Birr, but Rogers is still enjoying the game, and the possibilities sport brings.
Taking charge of the London senior hurling team in 2024, Rogers is eager to make an impact. London has been Rogers’ base for the past dozen years now. In that time Rogers has served the St Gabriel’s and London hurling cause with distinction.
“No more than anyone else, we love it, we'd be lost without it,” Rogers remarks about the central role hurling still occupies in his life. “Definitely, hurling played a part in me moving to London, the Gabriel's club helped me out with a job and a place to stay.
“At the time Ireland was in a bit of a recession, so I will forever be grateful for that. We still always have players coming here all the time, I'd still be heavily involved in trying to help them out, to help them get set up.
“If we didn't have it, we would be lost, especially in a big city like London - out of sight, out of mind. It is great to be able to have these things, to meet up with the lads.
“Other than that life moves so fast over here, you could go six months without catching up. You'd always mean to, but it never really happens. It is busy, but we wouldn't change it.”
Rogers quickly adapted to the changed circumstances. Gabriel’s have enjoyed successful days which brought medals and memories. Early on his playing career, though, Rogers was involved in a decorated Birr team.
“My first two years being involved in the senior team were 2001 and 2002, we won the All-Ireland two years in a row,” Rogers recalls.
“I was thinking this is going to be easy, this is going to happen every year. You just need to look at Birr now, they haven't won a county title since '08. So, 15 years moves very quick.
“You had huge players around that time, Brian Whelehan, Johnny Pilkington, the Hanniffys, any amount of them - Niall Claffey, Stephen Browne.
“It was a fantastic team that time, we had great success. Things move on. If Birr won one now it would probably be the biggest one ever because there is that kind of appetite now.
St Gabriel's played in the 2013 AIB All-Ireland Club Intermediate Hurling Final.
“It was great to be involved with all of them lads, to use their experience, to help you as long as best as you can.”
Undoubtedly, valuable lessons were learned. Decorated figures in the Offaly hurling story assisted Rogers, who is relishing the opportunity to take charge of London, who host Tyrone in Division 2B of the Allianz Hurling League at McGovern Park on Sunday.
“In terms of the league the first game against Roscommon was a bit of a disaster, we didn't even have a challenge game so it was our first game together,” Rogers reflects.
“Initially, I thought we were doing okay, but we had two sending offs and that put the game to bed. Then, we played really well against Wicklow, who are having their own challenges at the moment. We performed really well, we scored 2-30.
“Derry are obviously on the road a long time now, they are the barometer in terms of this league. Looking back over the video, I thought we competed well, but probably a couple of individual mistakes let us down.
“We are still coming to the pitch of it, we are behind other teams in terms of preparation. We only got going on January 4, so overall we are pretty happy.”
There is always a hurdle to clear, an obstacle to overcome, but London try to find a way. “It is definitely challenging, more so in terms of getting facilities and pitches, that side of it,” he adds.
“We generally train on a rugby pitch, the footballers literally train at the exact same time on the next pitch across from us. It is a great facility, but it is difficult to get full length games.”
Rogers just wants to plough on and is a firm believer that there is significant talent available in London. “I came over in 2012 and with St Gabriel's we got to the club All-Ireland (Intermediate) the following year,” Rogers says.
“We played Clara from Kilkenny in the final, they went on to win the Kilkenny senior. I think they beat us that time by seven points or so. To be competing with a team that went on to win the Kilkenny senior championship, the standard was very high.
“Kilburn played in another All-Ireland final. There has been club teams able to compete. I think the club scene is still very strong. They have changed the format, and Tooreen have the Connacht Championship well figured out, they aren't easy to beat, particularly when they play in Athleague.
Richie Power, Kilkenny, and Neil Rogers, Offaly, in action during the 2003 Leinster MHC Final at Croke Park.
“Tooreen, obviously got to an All-Ireland final. Gabriel's and Robert Emmets have been playing them over the last few years and there has only been a puck of the ball in it. I think the club scene here is still quite strong.
“Brother Pearses won London last year, they have seven on the London panel now, there definitely is plenty of players about, that is for sure.”
The number of hurlers in London might be restricted compared to other teams, but Rogers is encouraged about the tight knit community that exists. “Definitely,” he replies. “And of all years, this year had the potential to be the biggest chance of going wrong.
“Obviously, there was a big dispute last year when the county final was delayed until December 12.
“There was a dispute for five or six weeks between my own club Gabriel's and Robert Emmets. There was potential that players could have downed tools, but when I picked up the phone to them all, they all said put the club rivalries aside, they all want to play for London.
“They all want to represent London, thankfully that didn't cause any internal issues. There is definitely a great camaraderie, you could liken it to a Fitzgibbon team.
“Lads are living together, they are very close. They spend a lot of time with each other. Back at home, lads are moving on with their families, when they move out of college they mightn't be living together anymore. It is just the way it is over here, there seems to be a good camaraderie that way.”
Friendships have been forged. So, Rogers simply enjoys the hectic schedule. “I love it here to be honest,” Rogers remarks.
“We have two kids who were born here, they are six and two. One is in school, we are well settled. Usually what you find happening is generally a lads' missus might want to go home.
“We are kinda the opposite, my wife loves it here, she is very settled. We are both very happy here, I'm sure we will be here for at least a few more years anyway. We will have to keep hurling anyway.”
That approach continues to serve Rogers well.
