Ciaran Kilheeney was a former Manchester City trainee who had moved on to Mossley before having a short spell at St James’ Park in 2003 as the Grecians battled against relegation. He was to spend the rest of his career playing non-league football in the North West. 

Ciaran had joined Manchester City as a trainee in 2000 and signed professional in July 2001 before his release at the age of eighteen. He then played for Mossley between August 2002 and March 2003 when the offer of a second chance in the professional came from Exeter manager Gary Peters. With City facing relegation to the Conference, Ciaran signed a short-term deal and went straight into the squad making his debut as a substitute against Rochdale on 22 March 2003. He was to make another three substitute appearances, one of which came in the final game of the season against Southend United.

What was City’s final game in the Football League for five seasons proved to be Ciaran's last in professional career before he returned to the Manchester area to resume his non-league career and look for a profession outside the game. Starting back at Mossley, Ciaran then appeared for Droylsden, Radcliffe Borough, Ashton United and Burscough (where he won promotion). He then had two years at Southport between 2008 and 2010 before playing for Droylsden again, Chorley and Warrington Town up until 2014. Ciaran saw out the remaining years of his football career alternating between Droylsden and Warrington ahead of retiring in 2018.

Since finishing his full-time career in professional football Ciaran has worked in the banking and finance industry in and around Manchester. He joined Sapphire Growth, a Stockport company, in 2021.