Philip Lowry was described as a "fine wine" after his Man of the Match performance in Sunday's Irish Cup final.
Lowry scored the third goal in a dominant 4-0 win at Windsor Park as the Crues made it back-to-back cup successes.
The 33-year-old midfielder has enjoyed an incredible season, scoring 17 Premiership goals and now winning his sixth Irish Cup - his third with the Shore Road men.
Read more: Crusaders dominate Ballymena United to win Irish Cup final
Former Northern Ireland midfielder Jim Magilton believes Lowry has plenty more miles in the tank as he looks to next season and beyond.
Magilton said: "He is like a fine wine. He was very good today.
"He has had a magnificent season and he has scored a magnificent header today.
"To generate the power and direction to put it in that corner is superb."
Ex-Northern Ireland defender Stephen Craigan hailed the team performance of Crusaders, whose other goals came from Ross Clarke, Adam Lecky and Paul Heatley.
"The fact Andy (Waterworth) could have picked five or six players for man of the match says it all," Craigan said.
"They were strong in every single department and didn't give Ballymena a chance to breathe in the game. Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and admit you were beaten by the better team.
"And that's what Ballymena have to do."
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