HISTORY MAKER KILDUFF RETURNS TO DUNDALK FC
Dundalk FC are excited to announce the appointment of Ciarán Kilduff as our new first-team manager on a two-year deal.
Kilduff enjoyed an unforgettable two-year spell at the club as a player, between July 2015 and 2017, scoring history-making goals against both AZ Alkmaar and Maccabi Tel Aviv in the UEFA Europa League.
A native of Kilcock, the striker made 81 appearances for Dundalk, scoring 31 goals, as he bagged back-to-back Premier Division winners’ medals. He also netted a cracker during the 2015 FAI Cup run as the Lilywhites went on to complete the double that season.
In mid-September 2016, Kilduff’s late equaliser against AZ in the Netherlands saw Dundalk become the first Irish team to earn a point in European group-stage competition, the memories of his goal celebration with the large travelling support still vivid.
Two weeks later, on his 28th birthday, better was still to come as his 72nd-minute finish against Maccabi at Tallaght Stadium meant that Dundalk would become the first Irish club to win a European group match.
Dundalk FC CEO Peter Halpin welcomed the announcement, stating: “We are delighted to appoint Ciarán as our first-team manager. Ciarán’s enthusiasm for the job and love for the club from his time here as a player made him the perfect choice to lead the challenge that faces us in rebuilding the team and moving the club forward.
“Ciarán has already gotten to work as we look forward to a new era. I want to express my thanks to owner John Temple and Chris Clinton who helped to get this deal across the line.”
Photo by Gerry Scully. Top photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile.
Kilduff, now 36, has vast experience across the League of Ireland since making his debut for Shamrock Rovers back in 2007, going on to play for Kildare County, UCD, Cork City and Saint Patrick’s Athletic before his summer move to Oriel Park under Kenny over nine years ago.
In July 2017, Kilduff departed Oriel Park, at the time stating, “it has been the best two years of my football career”, with a “now or never” opportunity arising to sign for American side Jacksonville Armada.
Eighteen months later, he returned to the League of Ireland to join Shelbourne in the First Division and hit double figures as they easily won promotion, with the striker playing his final season in senior football in 2020 with the Reds before retiring.
In June 2023, Kilduff – who also coached Maynooth University teams – was appointed as the new head coach of Athlone Town Women. He went on to guide them to FAI Cup success last November, beating Shelbourne in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in Tallaght.
Kilduff added the President’s Cup last March with victory over Peamount United, and just last month Athlone won their first-ever Women’s National League title under him. Just over a fortnight ago, they missed out on the double when losing to Shels in the FAI Cup final.
Kilduff resigned from his position following that final, stating: “I am extremely proud of what we have achieved, and I would like to thank the club, players, and supporters for their incredible support throughout my time here.”
Dundalk now look forward to an exciting era under Kilduff, with the new manager already putting plans in place for the 2025 SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division.
Kilduff was unveiled to the media at Oriel Park this afternoon.
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