Kildare man Kilduff reflects on scoring on of the most important Irish club goals of all time

Kildare native Ciaran Kilduff etched his name in Irish sporting folklore last night by heading home a late goal to earn Dundalk FC a point in their first Europa League group game away to AZ Alkmaar. The point represents much more than just a big moment for the club, but also for the Irish league, as it was the first any Irish side has ever garnered in European competition.

The Kilcock man found the net to equalise with one minute of normal time remaining, and it proved to be an emotionally charged moment for the 27-year-old, who suffered a serious tear to his Anterior Cruciate Ligament last year.

“I’m just relieved to play a part,” Kilduff after the game.

“A lot of people, my family and the manager here, put a lot of faith in me. He put a lot of positive thoughts in my head before tonight. I did my  ACL and I was rushed back, I was out for just over three weeks.

Kilduff was introduced from the bench five minutes prior to his goal, and he showed all of his strength and finishing ability by holding off the challenge of his man with his right arm and heading the ball into the far corner of the net following Daryl Horgan's pinpoint delivery.

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He paid tribute to the physio who helped him recover from the serious injury in time to play a part in the club's European adventure, while he also revealed what manager Stephen Kenny told him in advance of the game.

“The physio here is one of my best friends, Fearghal Kerin, and Sam Rice, and they got me back early. The manager said to me before we left the dressing room tonight, wouldn’t it just be written if you could get the winner.

“I could only get the equaliser so I owe him one, I suppose.”

Dundalk host Maccabi Tel Aviv in their next fixture in the competition, while they then face starstudded Russian outfit Zenit St Petersburg in their next group game in the Aviva.