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Conor Hourihane

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Conor Hourihane
Hourihane with Aston Villa in May 2018
Personal information
Full name Conor Geraroid Hourihane[1]
Date of birth (1991-02-02) 2 February 1991 (age 33)[2]
Place of birth Bandon, Ireland
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[3]
Position(s) Central midfielder[4]
Team information
Current team
 Barnsley
Number 14
Youth career
2007–2009 Sunderland
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2010 Sunderland 0 (0)
2010–2011 Ipswich Town 0 (0)
2011–2014 Plymouth Argyle 125 (15)
2014–2017 Barnsley 112 (29)
2017–2022 Aston Villa 132 (23)
2021 → Swansea City (loan) 19 (5)
2021–2022 → Sheffield United (loan) 29 (1)
2022–2024 Derby County 85 (12)
2024– Barnsley 2 (0)
International career‡
2009–2010 Republic of Ireland U19 14 (0)
2010–2012 Republic of Ireland U21 8 (1)
2017–2022 Republic of Ireland 36 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:18, 28 April 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13:22, 5 October 2023 (UTC)

Conor Geraroid Hourihane (/ˈhaʊˌrɪhən/)[5] (born 2 February 1991) is an Irish professional footballer who plays in a player-coach role as a central midfielder for EFL League One club Barnsley and the Republic of Ireland national team.

His previous clubs include Aston Villa, Plymouth Argyle, Sunderland, Ipswich Town and Derby County. He also played on loan for Swansea City and Sheffield United.

He has represented the Republic of Ireland senior side at international level as well as under-19 and under-21 levels.

Club career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Hourihane came through the youth team of Sunderland,[6] and stayed with the Black Cats until 2010 when his contract expired. He was offered a new deal by Sunderland but chose to sign for his idol Roy Keane's Football League Championship side Ipswich Town, who had to offer compensation for the deal.[7][8] Hourihane failed to make an appearance for Ipswich in the 2010–11 season.

Plymouth Argyle

[edit]

He signed for Football League Two side Plymouth Argyle on 30 July 2011 on a free transfer after being released by Ipswich and impressing on trial.[9] He made his professional debut on 6 August 2011, in the opening day draw with Shrewsbury Town at the New Meadow.[10] On 15 October, Hourihane scored his first goal for Plymouth in a 3–2 win over Dagenham & Redbridge.[11] He became the club's captain during the 2012–13 season following the departure of Darren Purse to Port Vale and signed a new two-year contract in May 2013. Hourihane impressed for Plymouth in the 2013–14 season, starting 53 games and missing only one match all season because of suspension, scoring nine goals in the process.

Barnsley

[edit]

Hourihane joined Barnsley on 23 June 2014 for a fee of £250,000, signing a three-year contract with the Tykes.[12] He earned the League One Player of the Month award for August 2014, after making an impressive start to his Barnsley career. Hourihane became captain of the club in December 2015.[13]

Hourihane and his teammates won two trophies at Wembley Stadium in London, during the 2015–2016 season: The first visit to Wembley was on 3 April 2016 for the Football League Trophy, in which Barnsley won 3–2 in the League Trophy final, after beating Oxford United of League Two.[14] The second visit to Wembley was on 29 May 2016, for the Football League One play-offs final. Barnsley won promotion to the Championship, after beating Millwall 3–1 in the Play-off final.[15]

Hourihane and Barnsley had a highly successful start to life in the Championship, winning five out of their first seven games, including 4–0 wins against Rotherham[16] and Wolverhampton Wanderers,[17] and with Hourihane scoring three goals in these first seven games and assisting a further five. He went on to win the Championship Player of the Month for August 2016.[18]

Despite speculation linking Hourihane with Aston Villa on 21 January 2017, Hourihane captained Barnsley to a 3–2 victory against Leeds United with Hourihane scoring the match winning goal with a free-kick.[19]

On 26 January 2017, it was confirmed that Hourihane had left Barnsley to sign for Championship rivals Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee. Both Hourihane and Barnsley released a statement, the player thanking the fans and commenting that Barnsley "will always have a special place in my heart".[20]

Aston Villa

[edit]

On 26 January 2017, Hourihane joined Aston Villa on a three-and-a-half-year deal.[21] Hourihane made 17 appearances as Villa finished the season in 13th place, scoring his first Villa goal against Bristol City in February. He scored his first hat trick for the club in a 4–2 victory at home against Norwich City in August 2017.[22]

Hourihane signed a new three-year deal in the summer of 2019 as a reward for helping the side win promotion to the Premier League.[23] On 5 October 2019, he scored his first Premier League goal in a 5–1 away victory over Norwich City – which meant that he had scored in all four levels of the English football league system.[24]

On 20 January 2021, Hourihane joined Championship side Swansea City on loan for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.[25] On 23 January 2021, Hourihane made his Swansea debut, in a 5–1 FA Cup victory over Nottingham Forest with a performance that was described as "excellent" by Swansea manager Steve Cooper.[26] In his second appearance, and his league debut, he scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw with Brentford on 27 January 2021.[27]

On 30 August 2021, Hourihane joined Championship side Sheffield United on loan for the 2021–22 season.[28]

On 10 June 2022, Hourihane was released by Aston Villa at the end of his contract.[29]

Derby County

[edit]

On 6 July 2022, Hourihane joined recently relegated League One club Derby County on a two-year deal.[30] Hourihane, made 51 appearances for the club during the 2022–23 season and with 7 goals and 10 assists in the league[31] he was Derby's only representative in the League One team of the season.[32][31]

Ahead of the 2023–24 season, Hourihane was named the captain of Derby County on 3 August 2023, after winning the vote from the first-team squad.[33] There were mixed fortunes for Hourihane at the start of his first season as captain with a low-light being Derby's 1–0 loss at Shrewsbury Town on 21 October 2023, where he scored the decisive own goal from defending a cross.[34] At the end of the match, Houirhane went over to the angry visiting fans saying he was "trying his best",[35] he also stated frustration in the dressing room over poor performances.[36]

This game though would be prove to be a turning point Derby's season, as form started to improve and Derby started to climb up the table, with Hourihane scoring winning goals in two matches, 3–2 against Burton Albion on 15 January 2024[37] and 2–1 to Reading on 12 March 2024.[38] as Derby moved to second in the league table, Hourihane stated that getting promotion for Derby would be the "fairytale story".[39]

For the final six games of the season, Hourihane lost his place in the starting 11 as Nathaniel Mendez-Laing became on the pitch captain for the team during the promotion run-in.[40] On 27 April 2024, Derby secured automatic promotion to the Championship as runners-up of League One and Hourihane lifted the promotion trophy,[41][42] he made 47 appearances for Derby during the season, with six goals. In the league he made 41 appearances and scored five times.

On 18 May 2024, it was announced that Hourihane would leave Derby at the end of his contract on 30 June 2024, after 98 appearances and 13 goals over two seasons.[43]

Barnsley

[edit]

Hourihane returned to Barnsley, announced by the club on 6 June 2024, as a player-coach, on what was described as a 'multi-year deal'.[44]

International career

[edit]

On 28 March 2017, Hourihane made his senior international debut, starting in a 1–0 friendly defeat against Iceland at the Aviva Stadium.[45] Hourihane won his second cap in a friendly against Mexico on 2 June 2017. On 26 March 2019, Hourihane scored his first senior international goal in a 1–0 win over Georgia at the Aviva Stadium.[46]

The Republic of Ireland's first home match in Euro 2020 qualifying received additional coverage due to a protest against the former CEO of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), John Delaney. A portion of the Republic of Ireland supporters threw tennis balls on the pitch during the 33rd minute to express their discontent at Delaney remaining part of the FAI hierarchy.[47]

Coaching career

[edit]

In 2020, Hourihane started working towards his coaching qualifications. In June 2023, he announced that he would be joining the Aston Villa Academy in September as a coach for the Under-16s team, alongside playing for Derby.[48]

In June 2024, it was announced on his return to Barnsley that he would combine his playing role with that of first team coach, linking up with head coach Darrell Clarke and existing first team coach Martin Devaney.[49]

Personal life

[edit]

Hourihane is the second cousin of Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Marie Hourihan.[50]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 27 April 2024[51]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sunderland 2009–10[52] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Ipswich Town 2010–11[53] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Plymouth Argyle 2011–12[54] League Two 38 2 2 0 1 0 1[a] 0 42 2
2012–13[55] League Two 42 5 1 0 2 0 2[a] 0 47 5
2013–14[56] League Two 45 8 5 1 1 0 2[a] 0 53 9
Total 125 15 8 1 4 0 5 0 142 16
Barnsley 2014–15[57] League One 46 13 4 1 1 0 2[a] 0 53 14
2015–16[58] League One 41 10 1 0 2 0 9[b] 1 53 11
2016–17[59] Championship 25 6 2 0 1 0 — 28 6
Total 112 29 7 1 4 0 11 1 134 31
Aston Villa 2016–17[59] Championship 17 1 0 0 0 0 — 17 1
2017–18[60] Championship 41 11 1 0 1 0 3[c] 0 46 11
2018–19[61] Championship 43 7 0 0 2 1 3[c] 1 48 9
2019–20[62] Premier League 27 3 1 0 6 4 — 34 7
2020–21[63] Premier League 4 1 0 0 1 0 — 5 1
2021–22[64] Premier League 0 0 0 0 1 0 — 1 0
Total 132 23 2 0 11 5 6 1 151 29
Swansea City (loan) 2020–21[63] Championship 19 5 2 0 0 0 3[c] 0 24 5
Sheffield United (loan) 2021–22[64] Championship 29 1 1 0 0 0 1[c] 0 31 1
Derby County 2022–23[65] League One 44 7 4 0 3 0 0 0 51 7
2023–24[66] League One 41 5 2 1 1 0 3[a] 0 47 6
Total 85 12 6 1 4 0 3 0 98 13
Barnsley 2024–25[67] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 502 85 26 3 23 5 29 2 580 95
  1. ^ a b c d e Appearances in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Six appearances one goal in Football League Trophy; three appearances in League One play-offs
  3. ^ a b c d Appearances in Championship play-offs

International

[edit]
As of match played 27 September 2022[68]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Republic of Ireland 2017 4 0
2018 4 0
2019 9 1
2020 7 0
2021 8 0
2022 4 0
Total 36 1
Scores and results list the Republic of Ireland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Hourihane goal[68]
List of international goals scored by Conor Hourihane
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 26 March 2019 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland  Georgia 1–0 1–0 UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying

Honours

[edit]

Barnsley

Aston Villa

Derby County

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "EFL – Squad List 2023/24: Derby County – In Squad Players" (PDF). English Football League. p. 68. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Conor Hourihane". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  3. ^ "Conor Hourihane: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  4. ^ Connor, Dan (9 March 2019). "Hourihane 100: All his stats, goals and assists for Aston Villa". Aston Villa F.C. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  5. ^ "'People have been getting it wrong for 10 years!'". Twitter.com. BBC 5 Live Sport. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  6. ^ Bohane, John (7 July 2007). "Conor is heading off to join Roy at Sunderland". The Southern Star. Skibbereen. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  7. ^ "Conor Signs One Year Deal". Ipswich Town F.C. 16 July 2010. Archived from the original on 19 July 2010. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  8. ^ "Ipswich Town sign Sunderland midfielder Conor Hourihane". BBC Sport. 17 July 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  9. ^ "Conor Hourihane is set to join Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport. 4 June 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  10. ^ "Shrewsbury 1–1 Plymouth". Sky Sports. 6 August 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  11. ^ "Dag & Red 2–3 Plymouth". BBC Sport. 15 October 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  12. ^ "Argyle explain reasons behind £200,000 transfer of Conor Hourihane to Barnsley". Plymouth Herald. 24 June 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  13. ^ Barnsley Irish Star Conor Hourihane Archived 24 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine Irish Post
  14. ^ Cartwright, Phil (3 April 2016). "Barnsley 3 Oxford United 2". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  15. ^ Stevens, Rob. "Barnsley 3–1 Millwall". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  16. ^ "Barnsley 4–0 Rotherham United". BBC Sport. 27 August 2016.
  17. ^ "Wolverhampton Wanderers 0–4 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 13 September 2016.
  18. ^ "Sky Bet English Football League: David Wagner and Conor Hourihane lead August awards". Sky Sports.
  19. ^ "Barnsley 3 Leeds 2". Sky Sports. 21 January 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  20. ^ "Club Statement: Conor Hourihane Leaves Oakwell". Barnsley Official Site. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  21. ^ "Conor Hourihane: Aston Villa sign Barnsley captain for undisclosed fee". BBC Sport. 26 January 2017.
  22. ^ "Aston Villa 4–2 Norwich City". BBC Sport. 19 August 2017.
  23. ^ "Aston Villa Football Club | The official club website | AVFC".
  24. ^ Twigg, Sonia (5 October 2019). "Conor Hourihane scores one and sets up another as Aston Villa hammer Norwich". The Irish Independent. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  25. ^ "Swansea City complete loan deal for Conor Hourihane". Swansea City A.F.C. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  26. ^ Dollery, Paul (24 January 2021). "Swansea City boss impressed by 'excellent' Hourihane in 5–1 debut victory". The 42. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  27. ^ "Swansea 1–1 Brentford". BBC. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  28. ^ "Conor is a Blade". Sheffield United F.C. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  29. ^ "Premier League clubs publish 2021/22 retained lists". www.premierleague.com. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  30. ^ "Hourihane next through the door as Rams land international midfielder". www.dcfc.co.uk. 6 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  31. ^ a b "Hourihane named in League One's 'Team of the Season' at EFL Awards". www.dcfc.co.uk. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  32. ^ a b "EFL Team of the Season line-ups revealed". English Football League. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  33. ^ "Paul Warne makes Conor Hourihane admission after Derby County captain reveal". www.derbytelegraph.co.uk. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  34. ^ "Shrewsbury Town 1–0 Derby County". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  35. ^ "'I'm trying my best!' – Ireland international Conor Hourihane confronts angry Derby fans after own goal". www.independent.ie. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  36. ^ "Conor Hourihane reveals 'a lot got said' as he fronts up after heated row with Derby County fans". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  37. ^ "Derby County 3–2 Burton Albion - Conor Hourihane's stoppage-time winner sends Rams third". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. 15 January 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  38. ^ "Derby County 2–1 Reading". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  39. ^ "Conor Hourihane: Derby County captain on 'fairytale' promotion target and confronting fans". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  40. ^ "Mendez-Laing nominated for League One player of the season award". Derby County F.C. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  41. ^ a b "Breaking: Derby County promoted as duo seal it for Paul Warne's side". Derby Telegraph. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  42. ^ "Conor Hourihane captains Derby County to promotion". The Southern Star. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  43. ^ "Derby County Retained List: 2023/24 Season". Derby County. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  44. ^ Conor Hourihane rejoins the Reds Barnsley Football Club, Official website. Retrieved on 6 June 2024.
  45. ^ "Iceland's Hordur Magnusson proves too much for Ireland's second string". The Guardian. 28 March 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
  46. ^ "Republic of Ireland 1–0 Georgia: Conor Hourihane fires ace amid tennis ball protests". Sky Sports. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  47. ^ "WATCH: Ireland fans' tennis ball protest before Conor Hourihane goal". Sky Sports. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  48. ^ Pawley, Luke (8 June 2023). "Conor Hourihane lands Aston Villa job as he opens up on playing future". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  49. ^ Conor Hourihane rejoins the Reds Barnsley Football Club, Official website. Retrieved on 6 June 2024.
  50. ^ Fallon, John (24 October 2017). "Marie Hourihan: I'm no 'plastic paddy'". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  51. ^ "Conor Hourihane". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  52. ^ "Games played by Conor Hourihane in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  53. ^ "Games played by Conor Hourihane in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  54. ^ "Games played by Conor Hourihane in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  55. ^ "Games played by Conor Hourihane in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  56. ^ "Games played by Conor Hourihane in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  57. ^ "Games played by Conor Hourihane in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  58. ^ "Games played by Conor Hourihane in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  59. ^ a b "Games played by Conor Hourihane in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  60. ^ "Games played by Conor Hourihane in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  61. ^ "Games played by Conor Hourihane in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  62. ^ "Games played by Conor Hourihane in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  63. ^ a b "Games played by Conor Hourihane in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  64. ^ a b "Games played by Conor Hourihane in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  65. ^ "Games played by Conor Hourihane in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  66. ^ "Games played by Conor Hourihane in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  67. ^ "Games played by Conor Hourihane in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  68. ^ a b "Conor Hourihane". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  69. ^ Stevens, Rob (29 May 2016). "Barnsley 3–1 Millwall". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  70. ^ Cartwright, Phil (3 April 2016). "Barnsley 3–2 Oxford United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  71. ^ Woodcock, Ian (27 May 2019). "Aston Villa 2–1 Derby County". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  72. ^ McNulty, Phil (1 March 2020). "Aston Villa 1–2 Manchester City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  73. ^ "Conor Hourihane named Sky Bet League 1 Player of the Month". football-league.co.uk. The Football League. 4 September 2014.
  74. ^ "Sky Bet English Football League: David Wagner and Conor Hourihane lead August awards". Sky Sports. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  75. ^ "Player of the Year Winners 1969 Present Day". Barnsley F.C. Archived from the original on 17 November 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
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