Alan Cawley paid tribute to all three SSE Airtricity League clubs involved in UEFA Europa Conference League action last night, but warned that Bohemians and Dundalk can't dwell on their defeats for too long.
While Shamrock Rovers advanced relatively comfortably against Teuta Durres, there was disappointment for Bohs in Greece and the Lilywhites at Tallaght Stadium.
But with European soccer only guaranteed for the teams that finish in the top three in the Premier Division table, there's still plenty of work to do for both to set-up a potential run in the same competition next summer.
Bohemians go into Sunday's home game with Sligo Rovers seven points off third place, while Dundalk are a further four points back.
Speaking on RTÉ's Game On Cawley warned that both could potentially miss out on the action in 2022.
"It was much more difficult for Bohemians playing against PAOK because of the resources, and it was similar for Dundalk against Vitesse," he said.
"But they ran them both to death. Both teams were absolutely brilliant - not in one-off games but in two-legged ties, and they ran them so close. That's a hell of an achievement for the clubs and it's hopefully something that they can build on.
"I brought the young lad into the Aviva and he was looking at Georgie Kelly like he was a Premier League player, and it was the same for Keith Buckley and Dawson Devoy. That's what we need - for your young players in the league to be seen as stars.
"The problem now for Bohemians is that they've a huge game against Sligo Rovers on Sunday. They're fourth in the league so there in a position where they might not get into Europe next year.
"When you think of the summer they've had over the last five or six weeks with them playing in Europe, and the fans getting on board, it would be such a shame if they didn't qualify for Europe. So they have to let what happened last night go and focus now on the remaining games.
"They've lots to play for but it's imperative with the team that they have, and the quality that they have - particularly young players - that they qualify for Europe again for next season and build on what they've already achieved."
As Cawley points out Bohemians have a big Dublin derby to look forward to in the Extra.ie FAI Cup later this month.
The winners of that competition will receive a Europa Conference League qualifying spot, while fourth place in the league will take it if the Cup winners have already secured a European place through their own league finish.
For Dundalk though, a top-four finish in the league is looking remote at this stage, according to the former UCD and Bray midfielder.
"They're in a worse position [than Bohs]," said Cawley.
"I think since Vinny [Perth] has gone back in there he's rejuvenated them back towards a semblance of what we knew Dundalk were in the league. It's still a huge ask for them to get into Europe.
"Looking at them in the European games over the last number of weeks they've been absolutely brilliant. They'll be kicking themselves about last night because they gave away two sloppy goals.
"The second one, defensively they got it so wrong - [Sonni] Nattestad and [Andy] Boyle. One of them was sitting in and the other was trying to hold a high line and the lad went through from Vitesse and buried it.
"I felt it was game over at half-time because of the concession of that second goal but they were absolutely brilliant in the second half. I'm sure they woke up this morning thinking that it was a missed opportunity.
"There has been so many off-the-field issues for Dundalk this season so it's important that they get back on track and try to finish as high up the table as they can - they still have the FAI Cup as well.
"But with the wages they're paying out they have to be in Europe."
