“It was the best goal I’ve scored by a mile.”
They were the words of Dundalk midfield Robbie Benson about his cracking volley against Legia Warsaw on Tuesday.
It’s wasn’t enough to get the Lilywhites through to the Champions League group stages, but they learned their Europa League group opponents on Friday morning.
Stephen Kenny’s team will face Zenit St Petersburg from Russia, Holland’s AZ Alkmaar and Israeli team Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
Robbie Benson’s stunning strike on 19 minutes gave belief to the travelling fans that they could turn the tie in their favour and make the Champions League proper.
Reflecting on the volley, the midfielder believes the goal ranks among his best “It multiplies with the importance of the goal. I scored a couple of good goals in the League of Ireland, but that ranks up there for sure.”
With 23 minutes left to play, Adam Hlousek was sent off for the home side, but the Lilywhites were unable to make their numeric advantage count as Legia broke to score and make it 3-1 on aggregate.
Despite not qualifying for the continents elite competition, Benson is firm in the belief that Dundalk can put it up to the best in Europe “We belong at that level – it’s the message the management and players have been echoing. It’s just disappointing we didn’t go through, I’d swap the goal for a win”
Benson spoke exclusively to 98FM’s Now That’s What I Call Sport on Sunday morning.
LISTEN to his 20 minute interview with presenter Jamie Moore by clicking play on the link below.
More from Robbie Benson in our League of Ireland Podcast this Wednesday on 98FM.COM
