on 1 january 2011, as the transfer window reopened, kilbane joined football league one side huddersfield town on loan until the end of the season, mainly as a replacement for the injured damien johnson. he made his debut the same day in the 2–2 draw against carlisle united at brunton park. he scored his first goal for the club in the 4–2 win over walsall at the bescot stadium on 15 january 2011. after signing for huddersfield, he helped the team to a club record 26 league games unbeaten, before their eventual 3–0 defeat in the playoff final to peterborough.