Benson and Kilduff sign new Dundalk deals

Dundalk have announced that Europa League stars Ciaran Kilduff and Robbie Benson have signed extended deals at Oriel Park.

News that the pair will be on board for another season will provide the Lilywhites with another boost ahead of their final group game away to Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday.

Kilduff, who scored the winning goal when the sides met in Tallaght in October as well as a vital equaliser away to AZ Alkmaar, will return for a second full season with the Champions.

The Kildare man joined the Lilywhites from St Patrick's Athletic midway through the 2015 season and scored four times as Stephen Kenny's side won a second successive title.

The 28-year-old was again a key man this season, contributing seven goals in 20 league appearances as well as four goals in their FAI Cup run that ended with defeat in the final to Cork City.

Kilduff began his career with Shamrock Rovers, whom he also represented in futsal, and spent time with UCD, Kildare County and Cork City before joining the Saints in 2014.

“I am really delighted to re-sign,” Kilduff told the club's website. “It was something in my contract here that there was the option of another year here so I am happy to get it down on paper and be here for another year.

“Over the last three years the club has been the most successful in Ireland with the trophies that we have won and everything in Europe. It’s a great place to be. Going forward it’s good to be part of and I wanted to stay here.

“It’s the nicest way to finish off the season. Going to Tel-Aviv with a chance to finish off the current year going into the next stage. We are looking forward to it and hopefully we can get the job done.”

24-year-old Benson is another former UCD player, the Athlone native having joined Dundalk from the Students at the beginning of 2016.

The creative midfielder was a leading figure in College's Europa League campaign last year and has scored three goals in Europe for Dundalk, including a stunning strike away to Legia Warsaw.

Benson said: ““I am very happy to stay at the club. When Stephen asked me to sit down I think we were both pleased to get the deal done because I am very happy here. 

“Stephen was very happy with me this year too and hopefully going forward we can recreate what we did this year and make it better too.

“European football has been amazing. I can’t wait until Thursday. It has been the highlight of all our careers I’d imagine so far. 

“Hopefully it’s not the end of our European journey. We want to progress to the last 32. It’s going to be difficult but we are confident and looking forward to it.”