Kilduff: Even better days ahead for Dundalk
LAST year was one that Ciaran Kilduff is unlikely to forget in a hurry.
While his late equaliser against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League last September was historic in its own right, he then went one better by scoring the winner against Maccabi Tel Aviv on his birthday at Tallaght Stadium a fortnight later.
They are memories that the 28-year-old will never forget but he’s hoping for an even bigger and better year in 2017.
While last year had its undoubted highlights for the Kilcock man, there were also a few lows too with a series of injuries curtailing his involvement in a history-making season for the Lilywhites.
Kilduff still managed 13 goals in all competitions, of course, but he is determined for this year to be bigger and better as Dundalk target an historic fourth title in-arow and another European run.
It’s a case of so far, so good for the striker as well. With David Mc- Millan sidelined, Kilduff has seized his opportunity with four goals in his last two pre-season outings, including a stylish brace in the 4-2 victory over St Pat’s CY in the Leinster Senior Cup at Ringsend Park last Thursday.
Given that is classified as a competitive game, it means Kilduff’s record of Dundalk never losing in a game he has scored in continues. His double last week brought to 20 the number of competitive goals he has scored for the club since arriving from St Patrick’s Athletic in July 2015 with Dundalk’s record in those games he has scored in reading won 16 and drew two.
Having won the notorious bleep test on Dundalk’s return to training last month, Kilduff is determined to be the main man for Stephen Kenny’s side this season.
‘I’m trying to make up for a bit of lost time as well,’ he said.
‘I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself but last year I was completely hampered by injury at times. Every time I came back I had another problem.
‘I had a back injury that was well documented, I had a knee injury and then I got a concussion in Derry.
‘I’ll have to stop being so awkward this year,’ he laughed.
‘I just want to stay fit and get as much game time as I can in pre-season, which the manager has given me.
‘Dave is struggling with an injury at the moment which is disappointing but it probably bodes well for me to get maximum minutes. When David comes back it’ll be very important for us because he’s a huge player for us but at the moment right now I’m just ticking off the minutes and thankfully I was able to get back amongst the goals because there were weeks there where I couldn’t hit a barn door.’
And in what can only be a positive for Dundalk supporters, Kilduff insists he is starting to feel sharp after two well taken goals against St Pat’s CY.
‘That’s what I needed,’ he said of his back-to-back doubles against CF Reddis and the Leinster Senior League outfit.
‘Even against Espanyol B I hit the post and probably should have done a lot better with the chance.
‘I’ve been getting a lot of chances since I came back this year and thankfully now I’m putting a few away. Hopefully though I’ll keep a few for the next few weeks because the important games are really starting then.
‘It’s going to be an important year for us. Obviously four in-a-row is well documented. It’s all about getting off to a good start. That’s something we’ve done for the last three years is start well and got up a head of steam and ticked off games. We’ve a difficult start but we’re all looking forward to it.’
That difficult start gets underway this Friday night in Turner’s Cross when Dundalk meet fierce rivals Cork City in the President’s Cup final. While the following week’s league opener against Shamrock Rovers remains the main priority, Kilduff insists he wants to beat the Rebels on their
own patch this week.
‘We probably owe them one from last year,’ he grinned.
‘It’s a trophy and it’s a nice way to kick off the season. We’d love to get a trophy early on in the season. We want it back from last year. It’ll be a good test going down to Cork and a nice way to kick off the season.
‘What happened in the FAI Cup final last November is still stinging a few of us.
‘It was a difficult day but we had such a successful season that we had to pick the positives out of it. The bread and butter starts the following week against Rovers and it’s another chance for us to get more match fit and get ready for what will hopefully be another amazing season for us.’
While Kilduff expects Cork and Rovers to be Dundalk’s main challengers for the title this season, he didn’t rule out another team putting it up to the big three.
‘You don’t know what will come out of the pack this year but certainly Rovers seem to have signed well and Cork are always there or thereabouts.
‘It’s a difficult start for us but I suppose that’s what you want going into a season. The season is long and arduous so we need to know what we’re up against.
‘If we can get over the next two weeks and win both games and get off to a flyer in the league then that’s the plan sorted.’
Kilduff admitted his side would need to up their game from last Thursday’s 4-2 win over St Pat’s CY though.
‘We made hard work of it at times. We caused ourselves a few problems in the first half but thankfully we were able to get ahead.
‘Carlton (Ubaezuono) took his goal well but then in the second half every time we looked comfortable we gifted them a chance and a liveline.
‘There were negatives to take out of the night but overall it’s a good win. We scored four good goals and we have to be happy overall with the night’s work.’
With goals on his mind, Kilduff said he was now looking forward to getting a chance to play with new wingers Steven Kinsella and Michael Duffy, who he will be looking to supply him with the ammunition this season following Daryl Horgan’s departure.
Asked on his impression of the two new recruits, Kilduff said: ‘They’re two excellent players and even at times tonight the two young lads, Carlton and Keith Dalton, showed they are both capable of causing defences problems.
‘The two lads we’ve brought in are obviously quality. Steven Kinsella looks excellent. He’s a young lad and he’ll develop here because he’ll get chances. Mickey Duffy looks a smashing player. He has pedigree from playing in the league and then going over to Scotland so he’s more than welcome here.
‘I think any team would miss Daryl but I think we’ve also made apt replacements and I’m looking forward to playing with the new lads because I think we’ve an abundance of talent now across the middle. It’s exciting times,’ he said.