Dave Rogers labels Finn Harps and Kerry needle as ‘handbags’

Tempers boiled over at the end of Finn Harps’ dramatic 2-1 away win over Kerry FC but Dave Rogers says it was merely ‘handbags’ as the visiting boss went into the referee’s notebook.

Harps nabbed a 95th minute winner thanks to BJ Banda and it seems the hosts took exception to those celebrations. Order though was quickly restored as Harps added another important three points to the First Division board. 

On the manner in which his team nicked it, Rogers said: “You keep playing until the end - it’s never over until the final whistle. In the first half, we looked like the only team that wanted to win the game. Kerry didn’t have a chance, a shot on target or one corner kick. It was us playing on the front foot. 

“So we said to the boys at the break, with the wind going down that end, they’d look to get it in the box with long throws. We had to be strong and defend that. But fair play to them, they scored from a set piece. 

“That was disappointing from our point of view. But again, character from the players with a ‘never say die’ attitude. I’m delighted for BJ, it was a fantastic goal. He missed a lot of pre-season. So we’re managing his physicality and knowing when to bring him on the pitch. 

“I’m overjoyed for the players because they deserved it”. 

Rogers picked up a yellow card in the aftermath of his team’s winner but the Harps boss wasn’t concerned about those scenes or his subsequent booking for his part in them. 

“We celebrate stuff like that because that’s what football is all about - emotion, excitement and enjoyment. We’re trying to build a really strong bond between the club, the fans, the staff and the community. It hasn’t been easy but we’re getting there. It won’t happen overnight. 

“The lads are playing for the name on the front of the jersey not the back and that’s Finn Harps”. 

He added: “I saw yellow for celebrating. There was nothing derogatory or nasty said. But no hard feelings. The stuff at the end, it was handbags from both teams. I’ve no problem with the Kerry lads or ours. We move on and look forward to the next game now”.