Athlone boss Ciaran Kilduff wants another slice of Tallaght glory

Ciaran Kilduff won it all in a glittering League of Ireland career as a player, but victory as Athlone Town manager in Sunday's Sports Direct FAI Women’s Cup final would hit a little differently.

The former Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne and Dundalk striker retired when he was just 32 due to an accumulation on injuries having won three Premier Division titles [two with the Lilywhites, one with the Hoops], an FAI Cup and First Division crowns with UCD and Shels.

Still only 35, he succeeded Tommy Hewitt as Athlone boss back in June and galvanised a squad low on morale.

The midlanders were beaten 2-0 by Shels in last year’s cup final and then lost many of their best players to rival clubs in the off-season.

Now they have the chance to gain revenge on the Reds and embellish Kilduff’s fledgling managerial career with a piece of silverware.

"I was 32 when I retired, I’d some bad injuries," Kilduff said when reflecting on how he arrived at Athlone.

"I’ve a screw in my foot, I’d broken my back when at Dundalk. The money gets less and the work got more as you get older in the League of Ireland. Young family and Covid hit... so I thought I’d quit when I’m behind!

"I went from there and I went onto my A licence and I went and worked with Maynooth University and we got to a quarter-final final the FAI Cup, I was assistant manager, and we played Bohs and I got that grá back that you can still be involved here and get the same buzz.

"I’d never been far away from the League of Ireland. As I’ve said, no regrets so far and to be in an FAI Cup final so early into my tenure is something I couldn’t imagine happen."

Arguably the most memorable night of Kilduff’s career came at Tallaght Stadium, venue for Sunday’s showpiece collision.

His 72nd-minute