Padraig Amond joined Sligo Rovers from Shamrock Rovers last winter and was the club’s top goalscorer last season with 17 League goals and 5 goals in the EA Sports Cup. He now plays in Portugal with Pacos de Ferriera.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Finn
First of all Padraig, thanks for taking the time to do this interview.
“No problem at all.”
Why did you decide to join Sligo Rovers when your contract ended at Shamrock Rovers ?
“I joined Sligo Rovers because I needed to play more football than I did the previous year. I wanted to further my career so I just needed to play more football and when I met Paul Cook he sold the club to me and told me he thought I was the best striker and goal scorer in the league and when you see a manager with that much confidence in you it makes things a lot easier and gives you confidence too. I had the chance to stay with Shamrock Rovers for another couple of years but I just needed to be playing week in week out and Michael O’ Neill agreed with me on that and although he wanted me to stay he thought as a footballer I was making the right move and I think it proved to be the right decision in the end.”
You scored 17 league goals, and 5 EA Sports Cup goals, a great achievement in just half a season of football, which of those was your favourite and why ?
“I have a few favourite goals. It was great to score on my debut against Cliftonville and then the 2 goals in the cup semi final were very special to me but my favourite was my 3rd against Drogheda Utd as it was my 1st senior hat-trick.”
Now that you’re playing with Pacos de Ferriera in Portugal a few months, what are the differences between the League of Ireland and the Portugeuse League and does the weather have an effect over there on you ?
“For the first while heat was the hardest thing to get used to. It was way too hot for me but i adapted to it and im really enjoying it here. The weather is very cold here at the minute now though, not as bad as back home but its cold. The football is totally different here than anything I seen back home. Even though we played great football in Sligo this year this is so much of a step up because everyone is really quick and all the teams can just keep the ball for fun.”
Who were your biggest influences watching football when you were younger ?
“My biggest influences watching football would have been Michael Owen, Roy Keane and David Beckham. Since i’ve been involved in the LOI Pat Scully and Dave Campbell were massive influences on me as they gave me my chance and gave me the confidence to believe i could do anything I set my mind to. Outside of football my parents have been brilliant and I wouldnt be where I am today without the support of them.”
Depsite your constant goalscoring, you failed to make the Airtricity League XI to play Man United at the Aviva Stadium, how did you feel when you were told you didn’t make the team ?
“I was very disappointed when I found out as I thought i had a really good chance being in the squad as I was running away wit top scorer and then I was more disappointed with the reasons I heard why I was left out but I used it as motivation to prove people wrong and I think that I have done that.”
You had a knack for scoring goals against your former team, Shamrock Rovers, most notably your double that put them out of the EA Sports Cup. What was it like for you to put the club you played with for 10 years out of one of the countries major domestic Cup’s ?
“I was doing the job I was paid to do by Sligo Rovers. I was very proud of my 2 goals that day and the reception I got off both fans going off was something very very special. I had 10 unbelievable years at Shamrock Rovers and thats why I didnt celebrate and i’ve gotten a bit of stick from Sligo fans over it, but I wouldnt change any of it. I was the happiest person leaving the Showgrounds that night but I kept it inside but was really delighted to have helped us to the final.”
It was also your last goalscoring performance for Rovers before joining Pacos de Ferriera. Do you ever wish you were here to have played in the two Finals ?
“I would have loved to have played in the 2 finals but whos to say we would have won them? The chance I had to move was too big of an oppourtinuty to turn down and I left with the blessing of all my team mates and the coaching staff too but it was a chance I might never have gotten again so I had to take it.”
Do you think after such a successful season, Sligo Rovers will be challenging for the league next season ?
“Yeah, I cant see why not as long as the gaffer can keep the team together and add to it aswell. There is so much talent in the squad its ridiculous and if they can play like we did this year and have a good start I expect them to be very close.”
Do you miss anything about Sligo ?
“I miss the lads as they were a great bunch and the banter was good well most of the time, ha. Also the town itself as there are some fantastic people up there.”
Who was the toughest defender to play against in this league for you ?
“Pat Sullivan who’s a good friend of mine when he was at Cork City although hes usually a right fullback (or suspended, ha!) played centre half against me and I found him very tough as he had everything, he was good in the air, good at covering, loved a tackle and had pace so he’d be the toughest. Peers would also up there as he is an excellent defender too.”
If you weren’t a footballer, what would you be right now ?
“If I wasnt a footballer I dont know what i’d be doing. Maybe i’d be playing hurling and gaelic football with Carlow and maybe involved in coaching in the GAA but I dont know to be honest.”
What do you hope to do when you retire ?
“When I retire I hope to stay involved in the game and do coaching or become a manager. I’ve been lucky enought to have played under some excellent managers in Pat Scully, Michael O’Neill and Paul Cook and I have picked up small things from everyone of them and hopefully if I get the chance to manage I will be able to use some of the traits I seen in them as they are brilliant managers and I really enjoyed my time under everyone of them.”
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