Dundalk manager calls for realism amid renewed striker demands

Dundalk FC manager Ciaran Kilduff was left to lament his side’s wastefulness in front of goal following a 2-0 defeat to Bray Wanderers in the SSE Airtricity League First Division, as renewed calls for a proven striker once again dominated post-match discussion at the Carlisle Grounds.

Dundalk’s lack of conviction was underscored by a stark statistic: 27 attempted shots compared to just five from Bray—yet it was the hosts who emerged with all three points, courtesy of goals at the end of each half by Max Murphy and Danu Kinsella-Bishop.

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Though The Lilywhites sit four points clear at the top with the division’s best defensive record—just 16 goals conceded in 23 games—they have been outscored by both Cobh Ramblers and Bray below them, while fourth-placed Treaty United have matched Dundalk’s goal tally of 36, despite trailing by 16 points in the race for automatic promotion.

“That’s the bread and butter of the game—putting the ball in the net,” a frustrated Kilduff reflected afterwards. “It wasn’t just one player tonight who missed chances; there was a collection.

“It’s a frustration, of course it is, but we try to be an honest group. As a team, we’ll put our hand up. It’s not a great stat, but I would’ve expected it to be that way—it looked like that. It felt like we were in control.

“Five minutes before the penalty, I couldn’t believe we weren’t a goal or two up, and then all of a sudden you’re going in 1-0 down and you’re reeling a little bit.

“Then second half, we start well, and some great saves, and the stats were racking up—but the main stat was the scoreline at the end, and they got two and we got none.”

Having already secured the signings of John Ross Wilson and Declan McDaid from Athlone Town in the July transfer window, Kilduff has been clear about his desire to bring in a third addition before the window closes at month’s end, with a new attacking option believed to be under consideration.

“There’s one or two that we’re monitoring, but they’re with other clubs, so you’re hoping that their availability changes,” the Dundalk boss explained.

“We’re a First Division club, we’re not in a position to be paying fees or anything like that. We’re just trying to hope that certain players come available, and if they do, we’re ready.

“Some of their availability is due to change in the coming weeks, but if it does or not, it doesn’t really matter because there’s more than just one or two players. We have been talking to a lot, and we had a couple in on trial this week as well. We are looking.”

When asked to elaborate on the profile of player Dundalk might expect, Kilduff offered little detail but urged supporters to remain realistic in their expectations, with no new arrivals anticipated before The Lilywhites host Sligo Rovers in the Sports Direct FAI Cup this Friday night (kick-off, 7:45 p.m.).

“We’re in a particular market,” he affirmed. “We’re not going in trying to take the top players off Shamrock Rovers. The club have been brilliant with everything I’ve requested in terms of recruitment from the start.

“How many of those players there tonight are new players? Especially at the end—you had Declan McDaid and JR Wilson’s second appearances for the club—so there’s a little bit of that going on.

“You don’t want to just keep going for new players, new players, new players. Eventually, you’re going to have to give lads a run of games. You see Vinnie Leonard, week after week, getting stronger, and that’s something that we have to price in too. Every time you have a setback doesn’t mean, ‘Right, I need to get new players.’

“The players have been brilliant. They’ve got us four points clear at the top, and they could make us proud next week as well with a huge performance against Sligo. We know we’re hurt tonight as a club, we know we’re hurt as a group, but it’s all guns blazing for Sligo.”