Dundalk unveil coaching staff set-up ahead of First Division return

Dundalk boss Ciarán Kilduff has confirmed that Ken Kiernan will be his assistant manager ahead of the 2025 First Division.

Kiernan worked with Kilduff when the pair won the Women’s FAI Cup with Athlone Town to FAI Cup glory last November. He led Women’s Premier Division side Bohemians soon after. 

Gerry Spain - a key member of Stephen Kenny’s backroom team between 2013 and 2016 - returns as first-team coach and analyst. 

Liam Burns continues as first-team coach with Peter Cherrie as goalkeeping coach.

“I couldn’t be happier. 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,” Kilduff said.

“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.”