Dundalk boss Kilduff warns of Athlone’s awakening

Dundalk FC manager Ciaran Kilduff anticipates that Athlone Town will soon rediscover their form as the two sides prepare to face off in Westmeath this Friday night (kick-off, 7:45pm).

At the start of the season, both Dundalk and Athlone were regarded as strong contenders for the SSE Airtricity League First Division title and direct promotion to the Premier Division.

However, since their 1-0 defeat to Kilduff’s side at Oriel Park on opening night, Athlone have struggled, winning only two of their subsequent 11 matches and have endured a seven-match winless streak coming into this week’s fixture in Lissywollen.

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Since the dismissal of manager Dario Castelo just over two weeks ago, Athlone have been without a head coach, with the interim management team of Danny Byrne, Declan Holohan, and Robbie Rock overseeing last Friday night’s 1-0 defeat to Treaty United at Markets Field.

The club is currently in advanced discussions regarding a potential foreign takeover, and reports suggest they have reached out to former Bohemians and Waterford manager Keith Long, though no official appointment had been made at the time of writing.

“They’re a good team,” warned Kilduff when speaking with The Democrat ahead of his return to Athlone, where he brought unprecedented success to its women’s team before taking charge of Dundalk.

“I watched them play Treaty. I know Treaty won the game, but Athlone have too many good players to not hit a gear eventually.

“We’re getting them at a bad time because we’re coming to town and top of the table; they’re probably a bit frustrated and underachieving. They’ll look at it as a perfect opportunity for them to get their season back on track by beating us.

“Obviously, I’ve worked there before. It’s a great club, great support, so I don’t expect anything other than a really tough test down there next Friday night.”

In their most recent outing, Dundalk delivered a commanding 3-0 victory at Longford Town — a match played last Saturday, just 24 hours after second-placed Bray Wanderers, trailing Dundalk by only three points, secured their sixth consecutive win with a 4-2 triumph over Kerry at the Carlisle Grounds.

As Bray prepare to visit third-placed Cobh Ramblers this Friday, Dundalk are well aware that a victory at Athlone Town Stadium — where they have remained unbeaten since the venue’s opening in 2007 — could establish a significant cushion at the top of the table before The Lilywhites host Bray at Oriel the following week, on May 9th.

“A lot like ourselves, Bray are on a good run of winning games, and they’re not drawing many games,” said Kilduff. “All teams need to do in this league is win.

“Once you’re winning back to back, you see that even in the Premier Division, there’s nothing between them. You win two, three games, you can go from bottom to top; this division is no different.

“Bray have picked up 21 points out of 21, a lot like the start we had. You’re never going to be far away with that kind of form, so credit to them, but we are just looking after ourselves and looking to pick up three points and add to our tally; that is the objective.”

After suffering an ankle injury during the pre-match warmup in Longford, vice-captain Aodh Dervin was forced to make way for Andy Paraschiv at half-time, though the extent of that injury is not believed to be serious.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Enda Minogue, who has been sidelined for the past nine matches with a broken finger sustained at the end of February, could be in line for a return against his former club, Athlone, this weekend.

Kilduff updated: “He is fully training this week, so should be available for selection, if not next weekend, the very latest the one after. If not Athlone, the next home game, Enda will be available.”

With Dundalk unable to name a full bench for the game against Longford, the manager also confirmed his intention to strengthen the squad when the summer transfer window opens in July — by which time long-term absentees Norman Garbett and Ethen Vaughan are expected to have returned from injury.

“It’s a conversation coming in the next week or two,” he said. “The club know what we’re trying to do. Obviously, we’re up at the top of the table, but of course we do (need more experience), and we’re a little bit thin on the ground.

“The lads are unbeaten, they’ve given us everything, but we will be looking to add a couple to our ranks because we still have a long way to go in this season; we’re not even halfway. In the coming weeks, I suppose I’ll have to sit down with the owner and have a good chat.”