Kilduff’s award sets tone for series of positive updates at Dundalk FC

Ciaran Kilduff has been honoured as the PFAI First Division Manager of the Year, capping a remarkable debut campaign at the helm of Dundalk FC.

Just 12 months ago, Kilduff assumed control of a relegated Dundalk side beset by financial turmoil. Yet, in his first season, he orchestrated a stunning revival—steering the club straight back to the League of Ireland’s top tier and securing the First Division title with an emphatic 10-point cushion over nearest challengers Cobh Ramblers.

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In claiming the award, Kilduff edged out Bray Wanderers’ Paul Heffernan and former Cobh manager Mick McDermott.

The accolade comes exactly one year after he was named PFAI Women’s Premier Division Manager of the Year for guiding Athlone Town to league triumph, underscoring his rising stature across Irish football.

Speaking after receiving his award at the ceremony in the College Green Hotel in Dublin, Kilduff said:

“I was here last year when I was lucky enough to win Women’s Manager of the Year, and I was asked about the Dundalk job that was coming. We had a scrap on our hands to get a licence, and we got that.

“That kind of led us into the season. We fought for everything this year. It’s a tough league, it’s unforgiving, and to only lose three games, the group of players and staff have to take huge credit for it. I’m very proud.

“I can only concentrate on the football. At times it probably seems easier than it was, but the club itself now should be very proud. We take pride in being back in the Premier Division, we’re one of the most prestigious clubs in the country with a great history.

“We’ve made a good account of ourselves this year, but the reward for a good job for the club this year is an even bigger job next year, so it’s all ahead of us.

“I played for Dundalk 10 years ago and that’s where you’ve always imagined the club to be, but every club in the room has probably experienced a time. I see Cork, Shels, ourselves, Rovers, Bohs, no one’s exempt to maybe going through a tough time.

“Having a bit of resilience and finding a way back is the most important thing, and I’m proud to be at the helm at the club right now.

“Obviously the staff I have with Ken (Kiernan) and all the other people there driving it from beyond on a daily basis, and the players I have, from Horgs down, we’ve got a good thing going, so long may it continue.”

Captain Daryl Horgan was shortlisted for the PFAI First Division Player of the Year, but he and Wexford’s Mikie Rowe were ultimately edged out by Cobh’s Barry Coffey.

Horgan did, however, earn a place in the PFAI First Division Team of the Year, where he was joined by three of his Dundalk teammates: Sean Keogh—now with Brighton & Hove Albion—Vinnie Leonard and Harry Groome.

While Horgan and Leonard, together with Aodh Dervin and Leo Gaxha, are already secured for the 2026 campaign, The Democrat understands that Groome is likely to follow suit, with progress expected in the coming week.

“I can’t really have too many complaints,” Groome said at the PFAI awards as he looked back on the campaign. “We had a little joke there, a few of us, about winning the treble—we won the Jim Malone, the Leinster Senior Cup, and then the First Division as well.

“We can’t complain, it was a great season. It’s a great club, and it’s nice to be able to bring them back up to the Premier Division next year.

“The support is unbelievable. They were turning up every single week without fail. Obviously it’s a massive, massive club, so it’s nice to be involved. We’re back in the Premier Division, where the club belongs. Hopefully we can stay up there now next year and make a good account of ourselves.”

The retention of Groome, together with Conor O’Keeffe and Declan McDaid, appears set to form part of a wave of positive news for Dundalk supporters this week, with encouraging developments on the club’s Premier Division licence application also anticipated.

It is further understood that Kilduff has already secured the signatures of at least three new players, with those additions likely to be announced in the coming days.

More arrivals are expected to follow, as the Dundalk manager focuses on strengthening key areas—most notably a new goalkeeper, a left-back, and a striker to replace the recently departed Dean Ebbe.

One name being closely associated with a potential switch to Oriel Park is Antrim man Bobby Burns, a 26-year-old left-full who has turned down a multi-year contract extension at Galway United, where he has been on the books since July 2024.

Dundalk also remain hopeful of securing the returns of Gbemi Arubi, Norman Garbett, Andy Paraschiv, Shane Tracey and JR Wilson. Yet, with the club preparing to transition to a full-time model in 2026, college and work commitments may pose challenges for all but Garbett.

Peter Cherrie is expected to continue as goalkeeping coach, though it remains unclear whether the 42-year-old will also be registered as a player, while Keith Ward may likewise remain at the club in a similar coaching capacity.