Ciarán Kilduff has signed a new two-year rolling contract with Dundalk, ending speculation he was set to depart Oriel Park.
Kilduff, the manager who masterminded their quick return to the Premier Division, was reported to have quit last week with rumours swirling that he was going to take over at Waterford.
The uncertainties over the club’s ownership, as well as difficulties in obtaining a licence, has hampered the Lilywhites in the days since securing promotion.
Shareholders Chris Clinton and John Temple have been in mediation discussions regarding the club’s future to resolve the issues.
Clinton, rather than majority owner Temple, has been quoted in the announcement regarding Kilduff’s new deal, which indicates progress is being made.
Clinton said: “We are delighted that Ciarán has committed to remain at Dundalk FC after signing a 24-month rolling contract, ideally for many seasons ahead.
“We are convinced that Ciarán is the perfect person to lead the club forward, both on and off the pitch, in the LOI 2026 Premier Division, the club’s centenary season.
“Ciarán’s ability to identify and nurture talent, integrate young players into a professional environment, along with his dedication and leadership, are combined skillsets that make him uniquely qualified for the most vital position at the club. We are honored and delighted to have Ciarán secured for the future.”
Kilduff said that the job has morphed into the “opportunity of a lifetime” after a year in charge.
He explained: “What started as a privilege, yet a leap of faith, has become the opportunity of a lifetime.
“To commit to two more years minimum at this club, with this group, seems easy now. Dundalk 3:16.”
Meanwhile Richie Towell felt Kilduff should have jumped at the opportunity to take over at the Blues due to the financial issues in Dundalk.
Speaking before the deal was confirmed, Towell said it could be a decision the Lilywhites boss regrets.
“Honestly, if I was Ciarán Kilduff and I had the chance to go to Waterford, I think I would jump ship,” he said on this week’s RTÉ Soccer Podcast.
“That sounds terrible, doesn’t it? That’s terrible coming from a former Dundalk player that absolutely loved the club, loved the people that were up there.
“Everyone involved in the club is incredible. It’s a great footballing town but when I see the trouble that they’re in now, they need a new pitch, the floodlights, there’s talk about playing their home games away from Oriel Park, there’s talk about kick-off at 5 o’clock.”
Richie Towell won league and cup medals during his time with Dundalk
Towell, who played over 90 times for Dundalk, says that the club has not had a long-term plan in place, despite all the success they enjoyed on the pitch.
Failing to make improvements during his spell in England, which lasted just under six years, cost them dearly, the former player feels.
“They earned millions and millions from getting into the Europa League,” he added.
“Not the Conference League, the Europa League. So they would have earned really, really good money. But like that, they have short-term goals.
“They just want success on the pitch. You need a long-term project to do and, for me, everything that they do up there is just a quick fix – ‘what can we do right now just to solve the problem?’
“They need to have a long-term project in place that, for the next 10 years, is going to be sustainable for Dundalk because what they’re doing at the moment just isn’t sustainable.”
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