Dundalk crisis deepens as Ciarán Kilduff quits 19 days after clinching promotion

The 37-year-old informed relevant parties of his decision to leave on Thursday morning

EXIT: Dundalk manager Ciaran Kilduff speaks to the media after the game. Pic: INPHO/Tom Maher

Ciarán Kilduff has quit as Dundalk manager after just a year as the First Division champions plunge deeper into crisis.

Majority shareholder John Temple is digging in amid pressure to relinquish his 65% stake but the boardroom standoff left the Lilywhites boss in limbo.

He was unable to sign players or decide if changing to a daytime training schedule was viable, causing chaos in planning for their 2026 return to the Premier Division.

Kilduff (37) informed relevant parties of his decision to leave on Thursday morning.

Waterford, who could end up contesting a playoff to preserve their top-flight status, are favourites to land the 37-year-old having made an initial approach last week.

The former Dundalk player rejoined the club as boss last year, having began his managerial career by guiding Athlone Town women to their first-ever title.

What was announced as a two-year deal hasn’t materialised and there were issues with formalising the terms of the deal.

Temple remains confident Dundalk will receive a license from the FAI to operate in the top-flight but problems remain with the pitch and floodlights at Oriel Park. That could result in them playing elsewhere or an earlier kick-off time of 5pm. Neither scenario is palatable to fellow directors or fans.

He provided an update to fans but admits he remains at loggerheads with other backers, the Irish-born backers based in America.