Dundalk captain Stephen O'Donnell says Dundalk's Champions League success is a vindication for the entire League of Ireland.
The Premier Division champions defeated a high-fancied BATE Borisov side 3-0 tonight at Tallaght Stadium to seal a 3-1 aggregate victory and put Stephen Kenny's side within a successful tie of a historic group stage spot in Europe's elite club competition.
Speaking after the game, O'Donnell feels it's a victory for Irish football and not just for his own club.
"All we wanted was respect in the league, players playing in this league and there's some decent players and this is for everyone who plays in the league, not just Dundalk. Maybe now we won't be a bit of a laughing stock and we showed that we can compete and you saw the likes of Daryl Horgan and Patrick McEleney tonight could grace any stage. You're not telling me that they're not better than some of the players that supposedly play at a higher level. Unbelievable for the whole team."
