Dundalk FC manager calls for ‘Killer’ instinct ahead of Treaty clash

Despite being top of the SSE Airtricity League First Division table, Dundalk FC manager Ciaran Kilduff has called on his players to be more ruthless in front of goal as they gear up for this Friday night’s clash with Treaty United at Oriel Park (kick-off, 7.45pm).

Following their hard-fought 1-0 victory in Kerry last time out, The Lilywhites have maintained a perfect start to the First Division season, winning three from three, despite scoring only three goals – but have so far preserved an unblemished defensive record.

However, if their resistance at the back is to be broken, it will likely come this week at the hands of second-placed Treaty, who have scored 10 goals from three matches in 2025.

“One of these days we’re going to concede a goal or two, that’s going to come,” warned Kilduff when speaking with The Democrat.

READ NEXT: Dundalk FC support "got us over the line" says O'Keeffe

“We have to make sure they’re going in at the other end. It’s not like we didn’t have loads of opportunities to bury the game (against Kerry).

“We’re still a new team, 19 players left from last year to this. Young lads are getting opportunities, 15, 16-year-olds, but it starts with a clean sheet and it starts with good defending.”

Dundalk’s last home fixture against Athlone Town on the opening night of the campaign saw a crowd of 2,600 spectators flock into Oriel, surpassing the 2024 average of 2,419.

Strong travelling support at both Finn Harps and Kerry has since followed, dispelling any concerns that crowds would dwindle after relegation from the Premier Division.

“It’s crazy,” praised Kilduff after his team eked out three points in Kerry. “I’ve been here in great times – that didn’t feel like Kerry in the First Division in February.

“That felt as good as any time I’ve been here, which is just testament to the quality of people around this club and the quality of the support, they’re the best I’ve ever experienced. I’ve always said that since I came back and it was a huge reason why I wanted to take the job when it came to me.

“I think everyone recognises how lucky we are, it’s definitely not lost. We needed them and I think we gave them a good night in the end. It would’ve been a horrible trip home had it got away from us.

“You could see how much it means to Daryl (Horgan) as captain of the club as well, what a leader. He was the one at half-time, as well as I and the rest of the staff, rallying this. We knew that we could see it out.

“It was worth it for the fans at the end. To see that emotion afterwards between players and fans – you don’t get that everywhere and we’re lucky to have it.”

Friday night marks the first-ever League of Ireland encounter between Dundalk and Treaty, who were formed in 2020, as well as the Limerick side’s inaugural visit to Oriel.

The two sides have met only once before, during a 2021 FAI Cup tie in which Dundalk won 1-0, with Patrick McEleney netting the decisive extra-time goal at Markets Field.

Victory for Treaty could leapfrog them into top spot above Dundalk, who will have to make do without Leo Gaxha (suspended) and Ethen Vaughan (hamstring) on Friday.

After a narrow 3-2 defeat at home to Cobh Ramblers in their season opener, Treaty have responded in impressive fashion, securing back-to-back victories – thrashing Athlone 5-0 away before claiming a comfortable 3-1 home win over Finn Harps last Friday night.

“They’re a top team,” previewed Kilduff ahead of the Treaty game. “I think if they win, they go top. If Kerry won, they went top. It’s so early, it doesn’t matter about tables right now. Everyone’s trying to figure out what everyone’s like now.

“The funny thing is, I don’t feel like maybe in the last two games we’ve really got to show our football. I think those are really tough conditions in Finn Harps and then an hour with 10 players (versus Kerry).

“I’m hopeful that next week we can get a good game against a good opposition and we can put our best foot forward and show how hard we’ve been working because there has been a lot of work going on here.

“It’s a big game next week because it’s the next one, so we’ll have to be straight away tuning into that,” he remarked.

“I have enough time on the bus now to watch the Treaty game back anyway, so it’ll be grand,” the Dundalk boss quipped before the team made their long journey home from Kerry.