KILDUFF FOCUSSED ON “SPECIAL” FIRST NIGHT

Dundalk FC manager Ciarán Kilduff is fully focussed on making his first home match in charge “a special night” for supporters, with his former club Athlone Town set to visit Oriel Park in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division season opener on Valentine’s Day.

The fixtures were released at 12pm on Tuesday, with Kilduff pitted against Athlone, a club he led to their first-ever SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division title in October, before stepping down as manager following their Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup final defeat.

Kilduff, who has brought goalkeeper Enda Minogue and last season’s First Division top scorer Dean Ebbe from Athlone to Oriel Park, is continuing to build his squad ahead of the new season and cannot wait for the first league fixture to come around on February 14th.

“That first game here, for us, for everyone, I know the result matters, but I think it should be a real emotional night because we’re still alive. I’m really looking forward to that more than anything,” Kilduff said at Monday night’s Q&A in the Lilywhite Lounge.

“I know the football has to be played and we’ll look after that, but for you (the supporters), I need that to be a special night.

“That’s a huge night for me and my career. It’s going to probably be the proudest one, knowing what you went through, knowing that I get the responsibility to take it on from there. I can’t wait for that.”

Dundalk follow up their opening match with back-to-back trips to Finn Harps and Kerry before welcoming Treaty United to Oriel Park on March 7th. Kilduff’s side’s return fixture with Treaty is on Good Friday, which is followed by the visit of Finn Harps to the Carrick Road on Easter Monday.

The Lilywhites will complete their campaign with a trip to Cobh Ramblers on October 17th.

See the full First Division Fixture List HERE.

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