Amond stunned to be named Carlow Sportsperson of the year

Padraig Amond was named the Overall Award Winner at the Carlow Sports Star Awards at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel last Friday evening. 

The League of Ireland striker raced back to attend the event having played for Waterford against Shelbourne in the Premier Division earlier in the evening. 

He expressed surprise to be selected but admitted he was flattered to be chosen above so many great Carlow sports people.

“I'm very surprised. It is probably the first time, I am stuck for words,” he said.

“When you see the talent around you, in my opinion, I thought Willie Mullins should have got it,” he confided, whose exploits for Waterford in first season back in the League of Ireland after a goal laden career spent mostly in England proved hugely popular not only with the selection committee but also in the online vote that helped pick the winner.

The former Carlow minor hurler had enjoyed a successful soccer career in England where, on more than one occasion, he was the scorer of a crucial, giant-killing goal in an FA Cup match. Highlight had to be one he scored with Newport County against Leicester City which knocked the premiership club out of the competition.

The current Waterford FC captain put that to one side and told Master of Ceremonies, Brendan Hennessy, what it meant to be recognised on the night.

“The achievements of everyone in the room are unbelievable. It is an honour to stand here as a Carlow person and to represent Carlow on the stage. I am very proud, shocked but proud,” said Padraig, who was winning the overall for the second time in his career having collected the same award way back in 2009 on a night when Jack Charlton was special guest.