Athlone Town manager Ciarán Kilduff being interviewed after their Women’s FAI Cup final defeat to Shelbourne at Tallaght Stadium. Photo: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile
Athlone Town boss Ciarán Kilduff has resigned hours after his league winners lost the FAI Cup final 6-1 to Shelbourne.
He had decided to quit before the game and confirmed his decision afterwards.
Kilduff said in an official statement: “It has been an absolute honour to work with such talented players and dedicated staff.
“Winning the Premier Division title with this team is something I will cherish forever. However, after much reflection, I feel this is the right moment for me to step away.
“I informed the club of my decision after the game, I am extremely proud of what we have achieved, and I would like to thank the club, players, and supporters for their incredible support throughout my time here.”
Kilduff turned down other jobs before guiding Athlone to a Cup win last year and this year’s league and is likely to be linked to other roles now.
“I was well aware of the fact that nine of our starting XI were 22 or under and they had nobody under 22,” he said after the defeat.
“It was probably all your fears come together at once in the first-half. I knew that they had experience, they had maturity.
“It was getting ugly for a while, they don’t teach you on the A Licence what to say when you’re 6-0 down in a FAI Cup final and then 6-1 down at half-time.
“In fairness, I wouldn’t change anything this season bar 45 minutes of football.
“That’s the reality, Shelbourne credit to them they were hungry, they came out, they used all their experience, they played the conditions everything.”
