while still a youth player at preston, kilbane was called up to the england u-18 squad but declined as he had always wished to represent ireland. kilbane qualified for the republic of ireland team as both his parents are irish, and he made his international debut against iceland on 6 september 1997. he was chosen as part of mick mccarthy's squad for the 2002 fifa world cup in japan and south korea. the team did relatively well at the tournament, progressing to the knockout stage. they lost to spain in a penalty shootout when iker casillas saved kilbane and david connolly's penalties.