Introducing Padraig Amond
Pacos de Ferreira bring promising Irish marksman to Portugal
 Many eyebrows were raised on transfer deadline day as Pacos de Ferreira completed the signing of a highly reputed Irish striker. So who is Padraig Amond?
Pacos de Ferreira’s new Irish striker is likely to be an unknown quantity to many devotees of the Portuguese game. The very fact that Padraig Amond will now be plying his trade in the Liga ZON Sagres sends one clear message however; he is not your average footballer.
At least, he’s not your average Irish footballer. Players from Ireland, and indeed Britain, have long been notorious for their insular desire to never venture from their own shores, unless for a brief holiday and a chance to confirm the rumours that, in other countries, sunshine isn’t a bicentennial occurrence.
The now-former Sligo Rovers striker has made a bold and admirable move by setting sail in search of a fresh challenge. He now forms a triumvirate of Irish players who have set out to break the mould this summer. Ireland senior squad members Cillian Sheridan and Aiden McGeady have recently moved to CSKA Sofia and Spartak Moscow respectively. It’s an encouraging trend which one hopes will continue and develop.
Goal machine
At present, Amond is the leading goalscorer in the Airtricity League, Ireland’s top tier football league. At roughly the half-way point in the season, the 22-year-old has notched 17 goals for Sligo, an impressive tally considering Rovers’ mid-table position. This was also Amond’s first season at the club, having left title-candidates and last year’s runners-up, Shamrock Rovers, after the 2009 season.
One of the brightest young talents in the league, Amond is a natural goalscorer who made his debut in the league aged just 18, in 2006. His reputation as a top marksman grew as he managed 11 senior goals for Shamrock Rovers, including a crucial goal against fierce rivals, Bohemians, to send his side top of the table.
Pacos fans can expect a talented, hungry striker who has scored goals everywhere he has been and, at such a tender age, has got massive potential. Amond continues to improve each year and could soon mature into a fine player. Stepping out of his comfort zone by moving abroad also displays a commitment which I expect will manifest itself on the pitch to the delight of Os Pacenses.
Amond has been capped four times at under-21 level for the Republic of Ireland, the first of which came in 2008.
by Dean Hayes
Our thanks to Irish journalist Dean Hayes, who writes for Extratime.ie
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Seems to be missing his scoring touch but sounds like a nice lad and quite a hidden talent
Com'on the boys in Green. Good Luck.
Was Phil Babb the last Irishman to play in the Super Liga?
Seeing as I'm Irish myself, it's a wonderful step up for our football and also a chance to mix a little of our love of the game with the Portuguese.