Late Kilduff goal creates historic European night

From Caoimhin Reilly in Alkmaar

Dundalk goal-scoring hero Ciaran Kilduff beamed as he recalled the events of his equalising goal shortly after the final whistle following his team’s opening Group D match in the UEFA Europa League.

The Kildare man spoke about the chat that he had with Brian Gartland just prior to Daryl Horgan whipping an excellent set-piece delivery into the AZ area as the clock ticked towards injury time. Kilduff revealed that the defender actually wanted him to move out of the area altogether even with them chasing a late equaliser as they trailed 1-0 to AZ Alkmaar.

“There was some row in the box,” Kilduff joked. “I was marking the six-foot-six centre-forward. So Garts tried to get me to take him out of the box but I said that there is no way that I’m not attacking this. The way that the game was poised with us down to ten men, we weren’t going to get many opportunities to put balls into the box. The rest is history.”

On the night they became the first League of Ireland side to secure a point in the group stages of a European competition, Kilduff hailed all involved with the club for their never-say-die attitude and also for the help that he has received while trying to get himself back from a catalogue of injury set-backs.

“It’s amazing. I’ve had a great time at this club, I’ve probably had a few bad injuries myself this season but to pop up with a goal like that, on a stage like that, is pretty special and something that I’ll never forget.

“It’s testament to the character of the dressing room and the manager because we are a tight knit group and we all stick together.

“We got a brilliant medical team between Fergal (Kerin) and Sam (Rice). To be fair, Fergal is a very close friend of mine and he is really good behind the scenes at the club because he gives me the best of treatment and also the best of head management at times when I’m down.

"He told me when I missed the Legia game that there is going to be big games coming whether it be Champions League or the Europa League, and here we are today. It’s a special night for a lot of people.”

The striker also paid homage to Daryl Horgan and substitute Chris Shields in particular, with both having played a huge part in setting up his late equaliser with Shields winning the crucial late free kick.

“To be honest he (Shields) was everywhere when he came on. The last nine minutes (stoppage time) felt like nine hours. He blocked shots and covered some amount of ground.

“I thought the ball from Daryl was for me but then I heard someone shout ‘leave it’ over my shoulder and it was Shieldsy and to be fair it was a great touch and the free-kick turned out to be crucial in the end. Obviously the night that he was having was never going to mess-up the delivery. The night he was having was exceptional. He put it on my head and thankfully it went in.”