Ciarán Kilduff announced as new Dundalk boss 

20 October 2024; Athlone Town manager Ciaran Kilduff during the Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup Final between Athlone Town and Shelbourne at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Ciarán Kilduff has been announced as the new Dundalk boss. 

Kilduff - a former Dundalk and Cork City striker - has been tasked with reviving the Lilywhites League of Ireland fortunes after the club suffered relegation to the First Division in 2024. 

36-year-old Kilduff, having stepped down as the Athlone Town women's team manager last month after losing the FAI Cup final to Shelbourne last month, replaces Jon Daly in the Oriel Park hot seat. 

The Kildare native scored 31 goals in 79 appearances at the Louth club, winning two league titles and one FAI Cup.

It will be his first job in the men's game, having enjoyed Women's National League success during his time in the midlands. 

Dundalk are likely to start life in the First Division with a points deduction after new owner John Temple admitted the SCARP examinership route is inevitable.

Local barrister Temple stepped in in September when the club were on the brink of ceasing trading.