Ciarán Kilduff brings in old No 2 Ken Kiernan to help Dundalk rebuild

Dundalk have confirmed Ken Kiernan has reunited with Ciarán Kilduff after agreeing to become his assistant boss at Oriel Park, as they prepare for life in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division.

Kilduff departed as manager of Athlone Town women's team after their heavy Sports Direct FAI Cup final loss to Shelbourne last month.

He subsequently took the reins at the Lilywhites, and has now added Kiernan - who served as Kilduff's No 2 at Athlone in the 2022 campaign - to his backrooom staff. Kiernan stepped away from his role as Bohemians women's boss last week.

Kilduff has added more familiar faces to Dundalk supporters. Gerry Spain, who was a key member of Stephen Kenny’s backroom team between 2013 and 2016, returns to the club as first-team coach and analyst, Liam Burns continues as first-team coach and Peter Cherrie stays on as goalkeeping coach.

"I couldn’t be happier," said Kilduff. "I got all my first choices. When I took the job, they were the people that I wanted to bring in and keep. Honestly, it couldn’t have gone any better.

"The targets of Ken and Gerry, who I’m bringing in alongside me, were key to me being able to do this job the way I want to do it. To keep Burnsy and Peter Cherrie in the building and the dressing-room with me was something I targeted early.

"They’re all bringing different values and different experiences. I think we’ve got a brilliant blend for the dressing-room now. I think it sends a statement to the players that are sticking with us and the players that are coming in, about the level of coaching, the level of professionalism and the honesty that they’ll get from the coaching staff."

On Kiernan’s arrival, Kilduff added: "Ken has a great CV. He worked underage with Shelbourne Boys, we worked