Dundalk FC to face Athlone Town on opening night

Dundalk FC manager Ciaran Kilduff anticipates an “emotional night” at Oriel Park when the club faces Athlone Town in their opening SSE Airtricity League First Division match.

The fixtures for the 2025 season have paired Dundalk and Kilduff against Athlone on the opening night, scheduled for Friday, February 14th, with a 7.45pm kick-off in Oriel.

Kilduff guided Athlone to its first-ever SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division title in October, but resigned as manager after losing the Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup final.

Soon after, he was appointed manager of relegated Dundalk, a club whose very future remained uncertain until obtaining a licence to compete in 2025 earlier this month.

Moreover, a combined operating loss of €2,852,634 over a six-year period, spanning from 2018 to 2023, brought the club perilously close to liquidation – a fate narrowly averted after local barrister John Temple assumed ownership in September of this year.

“It was hard to watch,” Kilduff said at a Q&A session that was hosted by the Town End Podcast. “You never thought it would get to that. It’s not an easy rebuild. There’s a lot that’s happened. It needs time to reset and it’s a fresh start.

“The fact that we have football in Oriel next year, I think that’s not going to be lost on anyone. We’re very lucky to be here, it was scary. I referred to it as a leap of faith and it was, but thankfully they got it over the line, they pulled it off.”

Kilduff, who has recruited goalkeeper Enda Minogue, plus forwards Dean Ebbe and Leo Gaxha from Athlone, is actively strengthening his squad ahead of the new campaign and eagerly awaits the opening fixture at home to the Westmeath side on Valentine’s Day.

“That first home game here for us, for everyone, I know the result matters, but I think it should be a real emotional night because we’re still alive and I’m really looking forward to that more than anything,” he added.

“I know the football has to be played and we’ll look after that, but I need that to be a special night (for the supporters). That’s a huge night for me and my career.

“It’s going to be probably the proudest one for me, just knowing what we went through, knowing that I get the responsibility to take it on from there. I can’t wait for that.”

After their opening match versus Athlone, The Lilywhites face consecutive away games against Kerry and Finn Harps before hosting Treaty United on Friday, March 7th.

Dundalk will conclude their season with an away trip to Cobh Ramblers on October 17th – a night that is already igniting hope of an immediate return to the Premier Division.

“Of course we’re going to try, it has to be the goal,” replied Kilduff when asked about the prospect of promotion. “If you don’t try and do it, you’re not going to do it.

“The one thing I can tell you is there’s no easy way out of this league. This league is unforgiving, it’s not free-flowing. It’s Cobh away, Kerry away, Harps away – it’s got geographical travel now. We’ve hit the reset. We’re a brand new entity too.

“The reality of it is we’re going to try. I think we can do it. If we get a little bit of luck along the way as well, I don’t think we’ll be far away, but it guarantees you nothing. We’ve just got to roll our sleeves up and get ourselves out of it as quick as we can.”

In his address to supporters, he concluded: “That opening night, let’s use that as a yard stick. Just give us everything and we’ll try and do the same. Stick with us when it’s tough and we’ll take the criticism when it’s due. I’m not asking for any favours.

“I know I’m building up that opening game as something. It mightn’t be the most glamorous fixture that we’ve ever gotten, but that first home game, football in Oriel – we’ll set the standard there as a group, as a squad and as a fanbase. We’ll keep it at that for the rest of the year, that’s all I ask. Stick with us and we’ll stick with you.”

Season tickets are now available for purchase or renewal through dundalkfc.com, or by emailing [email protected], or phoning the main office at Oriel on 042-9335894.

The club have also introduced a new membership scheme, Club 500, which is available to all Dundalk supporters. Included in the package is a 2025 season ticket, 18 match programmes, food before and during each home match, along with 20% off in the club shop, on gym membership and the indoor pitches inside the Youth Development Centre.