Dundalk part company with Kierans

Dundalk FC this evening confirmed that interim manager Darius Kierans has left the club. Kierans departs only days after guiding the side to Premier Division safety following a playoff win over Waterford United. 

In a statement released by the Lilywhites, the new Board of Management have reviewed the season and decided not to continue with Kierans as manager. They went on to thank Kierans for his work throughout the season before stating that the ‘recruitment of an experienced manager to prepare for the 2013 season at the top of our priorities’.

The former Drogheda United manager took up the role of interim manager in July as former boss Sean McCaffrey left his post as manager after a string of poor results. The 33 year-old was placed in charge for the remainder of the season and despite budget cuts and the existence of the club in doubt, he managed to keep the club alive and preserved their top flight status. He also masterminded an FAI Cup run which saw them reach the semi-finals.

Kierans originally became assistant manager in January 2011 being brought in by then manager Ian Foster before being retained for the 2012 season under McCaffrey. He then made the step up to interim manager until today.

The statement in full reads:

"Following a meeting between the Dundalk FC Board of Management and Darius Kierans this afternoon, the club has released the following statement:

After an end of season review by the new Board of Management at Dundalk Football Club, the Club has made a decision not to renew the contract of Darius Kierans for the 2013 season.

This was a very difficult decision as Darius has carried out his duties in a very professional manner and has shown high levels of professionalism and dedication to the difficult task of keeping Dundalk in the Premier Division. We have no doubt that Darius has a long career in professional football ahead of him.

Therefore, we would like to place on record our appreciation to Darius for all his hard work at the club since he arrived in 2011 and, in particular, for stepping into the breach for the final months of the season that brought us to an FAI Cup semi-final as well as success in the play-off.

Dundalk Football Club has placed the recruitment of an experienced manager to prepare for the 2013 season at the top of our priorities."