Kilduff believes Dillon can become latest young success story at Dundalk
20-year-old Cian Dillon joined Dundalk on a multi-year deal from Queens Park Rangers earlier in the week
Cian Dillon has all the attributes to become the latest young player to flourish at Oriel Park, according to Dundalk FC manager Ciaran Kilduff, after the striker made his debut in Friday night’s 1-1 SSE Airtricity League Premier Division draw with St Patrick’s Athletic.
The 20-year-old Tallaght native joined Dundalk on a multi-year deal from English Championship side Queens Park Rangers earlier in the week and was immediately thrust into the starting line-up at Richmond Park, despite having completed just one training session with his new team-mates.
Dillon was making his first senior appearance since featuring on loan for Enfield Town in the National League South last December, but Kilduff was pleased with the contribution of the Republic of Ireland under-21 international.
“He’s had one training session and 70-odd minutes there tonight. I thought he was excellent. We know the player we’ve signed, but he’s not long in the building, so there is a bit to be unlocked in him yet.
“We’ll probably need a good week of training into him now as well, but we’ll get that this week. I thought, for the preparation we had with him, that he was excellent.”
Dillon arrives at Oriel Park following a difficult spell at QPR, where he made a solitary senior appearance in the EFL Cup after joining from Shamrock Rovers at the beginning of last year.
Loan spells with Enfield Town and Torquay United followed, while he also earned two Republic of Ireland under-21 caps under Jim Crawford, who was in attendance at Richmond Park on Friday night.
Kilduff believes Dundalk’s track record of developing young players provides the ideal environment for Dillon to fulfil his potential.
“He’s a top, top centre-forward who’s played for Ireland under-21s, who got a move over to QPR and scored goals for the development squad.
“A lot of people had been telling me a lot about him. I’ve obviously scouted him as well. I spoke to him on the phone. He’s going to be a top player, but he’s got a lot to learn and a lot to do.
“He hasn’t many senior games in his legs. But what he is, is a handful and an honest kid, and he has the talent. Another 20-year-old, and I’m very, very proud of and confident in my dressing room because, if you see from Sean Keogh to Vinnie Leonard to Eoin Kenny to Gbemi Arubi, young players tend to do well.
“They get opportunities here, and you have the Keith Buckleys, Daryl Horgans and all of these lads, Rob Cornwall – experience that really helps to guide them. I’m hoping for the same for Cian.”
Kilduff said convincing Dillon to join the club proved relatively straightforward, with the opportunity for immediate first-team football outweighing any concerns over Dundalk’s financial limitations.
“No, he was keen. He knew there was an opportunity to play football at the highest level. I sold it to him – we’ve no centre-forwards, so it was a very easy sell.
“There was a game on the telly against St Pats at the highest level, third v fourth, to get ready for at a great club that’s finding its way back. I think week by week we’re getting there. We have a lot of work to do, not just as a team but as a club, to compete at this level, at the highest level.
“I think we’re seeing that. But what we are is a very honest group. I’ve said from the First Division last year, we have a great group of supporters, a great group of local people who will always get behind the club – it’s an easier sell.”
The Dundalk manager also revealed he hopes to strengthen his squad further before the close of the July transfer window, although he admitted completing additional deals remains far from straightforward given the club’s budgetary constraints.
“Just two more. I don’t know if they’re in yet. There’s a lot to be done. I can’t guarantee it, I’ll be honest. We’re working hard to get them done.
“It’s very hard mid-season. There are contracts lining up. Other teams have to make sure they get something in before that player comes loose. And there is a food chain, unfortunately, in this division where we’re not at the top of it right now in terms of budget or resources.
“All our signings to date – most Dundalk fans might not have known who Gbemi Arubi was two years ago, same with Ronan Teahan. And there’s probably a little bit of that now with Cian Dillon as well, figuring this out.
“Unfortunately, I’m not going to be able to go and sign Mickey Duffy and I’m not going to go and sign Graham Burke. But the players who will be able to come in – availability is a huge thing, and probably age profile as well, along with talent.”