Rogers at the Aviva

Bohermeen man Gary Rogers just keeps making an impact as a top class goalkeeper despite the fact that he plays in the domestic game in the League of Ireland, a League that is practically ignored by most of those who classify themselves as followers of 'serious' football.

Rogers is on the bench tonight for the Republic of Ireland's friendly at the AVIVA against Holland (better call them the Netherlands) but they will always be Holland, won't they.

The subs bench this evening - Subs: Given (GK), Rogers (GK), O'Kane, Keogh, McGeady, Keane, McClean, Christie, Ward, Hoolahan, Murphy, O'Dowda, Hendrick, Gibson.

The current Meath Sportsperson of the Year was called into the squad by manager Martin O'Neill as the third goalkeeper this week in the absence of Keiren Westwood and David Forde, who are on play-off duty for Sheffield Wednesday and Milwall respectively.

We are still waiting for a first senior international appearance by a Meath man and while it's hardly likely to be Gary Rogers, he joins another former Meath GAA goalkeeper who went close when Brendan Murphy made the bench for a game against Wales.

Brendan Murphy won eight Republic of Ireland under-21 caps and one B cap.

He was also called up to the senior team by manager Mick McCarthy for an away international friendly match against Wales in 1997, but didn't feature in the game.

So, the first Meath player to make the senior international team will be ---- Kevin Toner, Darragh Lenihan, James Finnerty????