Waterford FC striker Pádraig Amond finished the season with 14 goals and joint top scorer in the 2024 League of Ireland Premier Division.
A final day goal at Tallaght stadium proved crucial with Pat Hoban's Derry City being shutout at home as Shelbourne won the league title with a one nil win.
Amond though, couldn't hide his disappointment at not picking up a positive result in South Dublin saying the performance warranted more.
The poacher would go as far to say the performance and problems posed to the League runners up highlighted the quality within the squad.
"When you put performances in like that and you show bravery on the ball like we did tonight, I think every supporter who's paid to come watch us or everyone who's watched us on TV knows you've given everything. We can hold our heads high."
The Blues frontman said it quietened a lot of the noise coming before the game that Waterford would roll over on the final day.
"We kept the integrity of the league going because we tried our best against every other team. So we had to do the same tonight," he said.
Asked how exciting it was for the league itself to be fought for until the very last whistle, Amond responded:
"You could just tell that's the way it was going to be all season. It's been a brilliant year for the league."
Amond mentioned a report that recently stated the League of Ireland contributes over €160 million to the Irish economy per season.
The Carlow native hopes that such reports make people notice and leads to future investment in the league.
"Look at tonight, what an occasion. 10,000 people at a game in a fantastic stadium. They're the games you want to be playing in."
The 36 year old spent the majority of his career in the English Football League and National League having made the jump from the League of Ireland to the Portuguese top flight at 22 years of age.
He hopes that the big crowds and improved stadiums become the norm for younger players.
"The government can back the league and the clubs and turn the facilities into top class facilities. We can develop our own players here and then move them across the water when they're ready."
"Not moving them over at 18 years old and before that when it was like 14, 15, 16, 17," he added.
Amond admitted he probably would not have had the career he did if he had left Ireland as a teenager.
Reflecting on the golden boot award, Amond says the 2024 season has been a brilliant year for himself and his family, stating family comes first.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, the joint top scorer admitted some of the younger members of the squad may move on for the 2025 season.
"Football players come and go all the time, but it's been a great group to be part of. I'm really proud to be able to represent the club this year. A lot of young players will probably end up moving on to different places."
He alluded to next season's league potentially being the toughest Premier Division in recent memory.
"You've got a Cork City side coming up. Look at how Pats were in the second half of the season. Galway are going to go from strength to strength. Shelbourne are going to want to build. Rovers are going to want the title back. Derry are going to be hurting. Bohemians are going to want to be better," he said.
"We want to be better, to be involved in Cup finals like Derry and Drogheda. They're the games we want to be involved in. Hopefully, next year is going to be a better season for us."
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