Waterford's Pádraig Amond named SSE Airtricity Player of the Month for May
Pádraig Amond Credit: Sportsfile
Waterford striker Pádraig Amond has been named the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for May, following an impressive month where he scored four goals for the high-flying Blues.
The 36-year-old played a crucial role in helping Waterford secure five wins out of six matches in May. This run included a victory against champions Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium, propelling Waterford into the top four of the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division.
Amond was a standout player, starting all six games in May and playing almost every minute, except the last 10 minutes of a 4-1 win over Dundalk.
He scored a 13-minute hat-trick against Drogheda United at the RSC and netted the winning goal against Bohemians later in the month.
Amond’s four goals in May placed him at the top of the league's goalscoring charts, tied with Derry City's Patrick Hoban with 11 goals each for the season.
In the vote conducted by SWI members, Amond emerged as the clear winner, beating Shamrock Rovers' in-form striker Johnny Kenny and Sligo Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty, who finished third.
This award marks Amond's first win and the fourth time a Waterford player has received the Player of the Month prize since September 2022, following Phoenix Patterson and Ronan Coughlan (twice).
“I’m delighted – it’s great to get the award. To be honest, it could have been anyone of three or four of the Waterford lads for the month that we had,” Amond said after receiving his award.
“It’s been a fantastic month for us as a club. It kind of really put us into a really good position and made the first half of the season look so good for us."
Amond attributed his success to his teammates, saying, “I’m delighted to win the award – but it’s on behalf of those lads. Without those lads, I’d be absolutely nothing. They’re a brilliant bunch of players to play with. Good lads as well, young lads as well and they’re getting better every week.”
Reflecting on his highlights, Amond noted, “The hat-trick against Drogheda was a big night for me. My son was probably the happiest. He was there that night and he got to bring a football home, so he was delighted. And a trophy, so I’ve got a trophy for him."
“Apart from that, I’d say probably the performance against Rovers. It was one I really, really enjoyed. I thought I played very well that day. We put in an unbelievable shift that day. We were worthy winners.”
Amond expressed his desire to build on this success for the rest of the season. “It was a good month but a month I want to build on now for the rest of the season. And hopefully get one or two more of these if I can or even someone else in the team, it could be their turn to get one.”
The six-man shortlist for May’s Player of the Month award also included Galway United's Maurice Nugent, Dayle Rooney of Bohemians, and Dundalk's on-loan Sunderland defender Zak Johnson.
