Ciarán Kilduff: 'Combining studying and playing at UCD, allowed me to get the best out of myself'

Ciarán Kilduff in colours of Shelbourne

Ciarán Kilduff in colours of Shelbourne Credit: Michael P Ryan (ETPhotos)

Given half a chance, scoring goals was never a problem for Ciarán Kilduff, who now as a fledgling coach aims one day to manage a League of Ireland club – if the opportunity arises.

Early on in his playing days, Kilduff played in the UEFA Futsal Cup and for the Irish U-21futsal side.

“When I was in the Shamrock Rovers futsal team, it was only beginning to grow as a sport,” recalled Kilduff when speaking with extratime.com this week. “A lot of those players went on to have careers in the 11-a-side game. There’s a huge development aspect for players at a young age.

"That format is played in a closed space, is very technical, while using different parts of your feet and body. However, the way futsal is designed and structured probably doesn’t allow today’s up-and-coming young players to go on to League of Ireland careers like we did.”

Also key to the Kilcock native’s growth was a season-long loan in 2008 to Kildare County, where he gained valuable regular first-team football. 

“The best thing about it was playing around 30 games at a young age. We got relegated from the First Division that year, but it was more important than other years when I achieved things. Also being from the county and going to Maynooth University, it was a little less demanding being in that division instead of being at Shamrock Rovers.”

A move to UCD the subsequent season witnessed the young striker as the club’s leading goalscorer during the Students’ First Division title win – form which was then replicated in his maiden full topflight campaign.

“Combining studying and playing, it allowed me to get the best out of myself. Top scoring for UCD and winning the First Division already gave me confidence in my ability. It gave me a crack at the Premier Division the following year and I hit the ground running.

"The amount of goals I got for UCD in the Premier Division still hasn’t been beaten (for the club at the highest level). We were one of the favourites to get relegated that season, but we managed to finish mid table.”

Returning to Shamrock Rovers in 2011, Kilduff contributed to lifting that year’s Premier Division and Setanta Sports Cup trophies. Despite the aforementioned honours, not being a regular starter resulted in a 2013 loan spell at Cork City, which reignited a prolific run in front of goal.



“I was at Shamrock Rovers for a long time and I was in and out of the team. During the 2012 season, under Stephen Kenny, I broke my foot and missed the entire campaign. The following year, I knew I needed to play every week. I went to Cork, scored a lot of goals and fitted straight in.

"I wanted to go back to Cork, but I wasn’t allowed because of things going on behind the scenes. Doing so well down there meant that Shamrock Rovers wouldn’t let me leave, so I kind of shot myself in the foot, so to speak with that one (laughs).”

A stint with St Patrick’s Athletic preceded joining Dundalk, where back-to-back Premier Division titles were secured, in addition to some memorable European nights. Seeking a different challenge, he ended up across the Atlantic in 2017, turning out for Jacksonville Armada.

“Jacksonville was one of the best experiences of my life. We had a lot of exposure at Dundalk by winning the league and doing well in the Europa League group stage. I had a bit of a profile, as a 6ft 3’ forward scoring a couple of goals in the Europa League, which fitted the bill.

"My now wife and my daughter got to come over to Florida. I was captain and it was completely different after ten years in the League of Ireland. It was an opportunity to travel a little bit and a great lifestyle. There were all different types of nationalities and I got to captain that group to a regional final.

"After two years it was time to go home, with my daughter starting school and the leagues were changing more than even here, believe it or not.”



Reappearing on the domestic scene with Shelbourne in 2019 coincided with another First Division winner’s medal and one last season at the highest level before departing senior football. In more recent times Kilduff has been involved as a player/coach with Maynooth University and aims to one day manage a League of Ireland club.

“At Maynooth I was purely trying to cut my teeth with the coaching side of things. I’m halfway through my A Licence now. I’m learning on the job and it’s something that I really want. The timing and the fit would have to be right because there’s not that many jobs in the League of Ireland.

"Realistically, for your first job, half of those aren’t attainable. If I’m ready, hopefully the right one will come along the line. I’m a young coach and an old player at this point in time, but at 33, I’ve got a bit of time to educate myself as a coach.”

About Dan Lucey

Dan Lucey is an interviewer for extraTime.com. He has penned articles for both Cork City and Luton Town’s official programmes.

Dan has written numerous interviews and was a regular attendee at League … View Full Profile