“WE’RE ON THE RIGHT PATH” – KILDUFF

Ciarán Kilduff was pleased with the performance of his new-look Dundalk team, with the manager saying “we’re definitely on the right path”, after a promising first outing of the year against League of Ireland Champions Shelbourne in the AUL on Saturday morning.

The match was settled by a second-half goal from ex-Lilywhite Rayhaan Tulloch as Shels ran out 1-0 winners in the behind-closed-doors friendly.

Kilduff played a totally different XI in each half, with the only signed players missing from action being Harry Groome, Dean Ebbe and Norman Garbett, the latter having only landed back in the country from New Zealand on Thursday evening, as well as back-up ‘keeper Peter Cherrie.

Dundalk’s first-half side had an average age of just 19, while after the break, Academy stars Calum Woods and Seán Spaight formed part of the back four. In total from the 22, ten of the players have come through the Lilywhites Academy.

“It was excellent, it was a great morning’s work. You couldn’t have asked for more,” Kilduff told dundalkfc.com. “You’re in pre-season; it’s so early in January and you’re getting a great test up against Shelbourne in their training ground.

“We got 22 players on the pitch, a lot of 15, 16 and 17-year-olds, stuff that they wouldn’t get in a training session, you get to see them in games against top, top opposition. Loads of lads impressed and we took a lot of positives out of it.”

Asked if he got what he wanted out of the game, Kilduff added: “I did – I couldn’t have asked for more. The application, the work, the approach. When you’re in pre-season, it’s hard to replicate games, it’s hard to replicate the intensity, and you’re going up against the team that just won the Premier Division.

“Lads are going toe-to-toe with some of the top players in the country. To do that and put on a performance like we did at times, create chances like we did, and the energy levels we showed, I think the lads went away knowing they got a good morning’s work.

“We were still missing a couple, a couple of lads with niggles and injuries, and Shels were probably the same. At this stage of pre-season, to get a challenge and test like that, was great.”

The 36-year-old added: “In the second half, I had Seán Spaight and Calum Woods playing, and beside them was Seán McHale, his first time meeting the group, so we were such a new group together. I told them before the game it was about getting a good morning’s pre-season training in, and I feel we definitely did that.”

Kilduff was named as Dundalk’s new manager on 6th November, and just over two months on, he is pleased with the progress.

“Today was a great shot in the arm, to know that we’re definitely making huge strides,” he said. “When you’ve had such a huge turnover in staff and players, as we’ve discussed a few times, you’re saying now is the first time we’re going to see them in the natural environment of a game.

“We saw the gelling and the relationships forming at such an early stage. Don’t get me wrong, there was running done after the game as well, there’s been running done in training all week, it’s pre-season, so we shouldn’t be a well-oiled machine by now.

“You have to respect the game and say we’re a good bit away from that yet, but we’re definitely on the right path.

“The new players are showing why they’re coming in, with their attitude, and if you look at the way we did it today, all the Academy players are getting seen. The new players are young, hungry, energetic and buying into the way we want to play.

“There are a lot of positives going on at the moment and I probably couldn’t be happier from a coach’s point of view with how it’s shaping up.”

Dundalk now prepare for their first taste of competitive action in 2025 as Malahide United (Friday, kick-off 7.45pm) and Usher Celtic (Monday, 7.45pm) are set to visit Oriel Park in quick-fire Leinster Senior Cup Group B matches next week.

“It falls in pre-season, so it’s hard to say they’re not pre-season games,” Kilduff said, asked how seriously he was taking the competition. “We have two next weekend and they’ll be our second and third games as a group.

“We take every game seriously because it’s an opportunity for us to gel together. I won’t not be taking it seriously, but of course, it isn’t a priority.

“You’ll see a lot of teams putting our their Under-20s and stuff like that. That won’t be what we’re doing. Lads will be getting more opportunities. First-team players will be using it to build on relationships and get match sharp so that we’re ready for the games later this month and also the first league game on 14th February which is just over a month away now.”

Supporters are also likely to see different looking teams over the two games.

“I’m so far away from knowing my strongest starting XI,” Kilduff said. “People are constantly putting their hand up saying ‘I’m ready for this opportunity’, that is Dundalk coming down to the First Division.

“I told the lads and I meant it, I want to be honest, lads who have shown me they can play the way I want to play, lads who are showing me they’re fit and hungry, there are opportunities coming again next weekend, and the one after as well.

“We need games and lads need games to show me what they can do. Training is one thing, that’s where we sharpen the blade, but then in the game, you need to execute. Everyone is going to be getting games, not just next weekend, but in the months to come as well.”

Dundalk Team – 1st Half v Shelbourne: Enda Minogue; Rhys O’Hare, Mayowa Animasahun, Vinnie Leonard, Seán Keogh; Aodh Dervin, Andy Paraschiv; Leo Gaxha, Eoin Kenny, Aidan Russell Vargas; Muhammad Haris.

Dundalk Team – 2nd Half v Shelbourne: Samuel Safaei; Conor O’Keeffe, Calum Woods, Seán McHale, Seán Spaight; Luke Mulligan, Oisín Coleman; Gbemi Arubi, Scott Brady, Daryl Horgan; TJ Molloy.

Referee: Rob Hennessy.

The post “WE’RE ON THE RIGHT PATH” – KILDUFF appeared first on Dundalk Football Club.