Former Athlone Town women's manager takes charge at Dundalk

Ciaran Kilduff, who led the Athlone Town women's team to its first ever league title this year, was announced today (Wednesday) as the new manager of the Dundalk FC men's side.

Kilduff played for Dundalk for a number of years during its spell of success in the 2010s.

He took charge of the Athlone Town women, in June of last year, in what was his first managerial role.

After leading the Athlone women to FAI Cup success in 2023, he followed it up with a league title win and an FAI Cup final appearance this year.

Kilduff stepped down as manager following the team's cup final defeat to Shelbourne in Tallaght on October 20.

Earlier this week, it was announced that he had been shortlisted for the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division Manager of the Year award, along with Phil Trill of Galway United and Eoin Wearen of Shelbourne.

Dundalk suffered relegation from the Premier Division during a turbulent 2024, meaning Kilduff will be returning to Lissywollen to face Athlone Town during next year's First Division campaign.

Announcing Kilduff's arrival as manager in a social media post, Dundalk FC wrote that it was "excited" by the appointment, and that "this club's new era starts here!"