CONOR HOURIHANE HAS had an encouraging opening to the 2017-18 Championship campaign with Aston Villa.
The Ireland international had a slow start at the Birmingham-based club, having joined them from Barnsley in last January’s transfer window, but he seems to be belatedly finding his feet in his new surroundings.
The Bandon native scored a match-winning free kick — his fifth goal of the season — as his side beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 to move up to ninth in the Championship table.
And speaking to reporters after the match, when asked about his goalscoring form, the 26-year-old gave the type of perfectionist response that would undoubtedly please his Ireland assistant boss Roy Keane.
I like to score goals and influence the game so the way it has gone so far is quietly pleasing,” he said, as quoted by the Birmingham Mail.
“To have five this early in the season is good.
But I feel I could probably have had a couple more if I am being hard on myself but five for now is not bad.”
With Scottish international Robert Snodgrass joining the club on loan back in August, Hourihane is not the only set-piece specialist in the side, meaning he can ill afford to be too wasteful given the level of competition for dead-ball duties.
Of his decisive free kick on Saturday, the former Sunderland youngster — who made his competitive international debut off the bench in Ireland’s most recent World Cup qualifier against Serbia — added:
“I said to Snoddy, there is a bit of a gap for one of us to go round.
He had one in the first half and I thought it was my turn to take it.
“You get one chance to put it away and it ended up being a goal.”
Conor Hourihane's free kick to give Villa the lead again #avfc #UTV pic.twitter.com/CyYToTapah
— HomeOfTheVilla (@TheVillaHome) September 23, 2017
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Is it just me or does anyone else think ROG & Keano would make great pals.
Their conversations would be nothing but, to quote Ronan, ‘pure, brutal honesty.’
That must have been like telling him that the sun was going to rise!
Some revelation – not!The world and his brother, sister, mother, father and dog would have known that. Why else would the AB’s speak about it so openly in front of Keano, when they’d have to assume he’d report it back to his fellow country- and countyman ROG at the first available chance – as of course he did.
Pity ye haven’t the same regard for our greatest ever no.10 as ye have for that friend of Prince Albert of Monaco whom ye adore in South Dublin. The man who got us over the line in our first slam for close to 70yrs is lambastes at ever chance. Well I love a straight talking rog whom despite his light stature never sheirked a tackle over a bono voiced boring South Dublin west Brit who will never offend anyone who will always stand on the fence.
Huh?
You’re a tool…. can’t they both be great ambassadors?
Philip, you are another flash. Pathetic.
Ah Phil don’t be like that, talking about your capital city in that manner.
ROG like Keane is a mouth piece!
Phil don’t be a bitter idiot. Where do these bitter fools come fm? Rog is from cork city and if he read this post by u he would be embarrassed . I bet you love in the sticks somewhere and just hate Dublin
Ah stop for the love of God. You’re an embarrassment to Munster fans, Philip.
Not sure about the West Brit ladyboy part, but Johnny is certainly a very attractive man
There was no slight to our, as you rightly say “our greatest ever 10″ intended at all. Cool your jets. All teams target whatever weakness they can find in the opposition’s armour. Tackling wasn’t RO’G's strongest suit – something he shares with a lot of outhalves; nothing wrong in that. Most Test players are good at some things, not so good at others. Only the odd exception is good at everything.
Keano was asked if he takes other sport’s coaching techniques on board when developing his skills, the anecdote clearly relates. It’s not as if he released a statement on it.
I’m getting fair sick of reading your crap at this stage
Too much sauce Philip. Too many chips on shoulder. ..shoulda had a kebab b4 posting
Are you talking about BOD from Clontarf in north Dublin?
Philip won’t ever let the truth get in the way of that large chip on his shoulder. Pity he doesn’t realise Rugby is a team spirt – O Gara kicked the score to win the slam, but he didn’t clear out the ruck just before it, or the one before it. Nor did he pass the ball to himself to kick it. The squad won that grand slam not any one player.
This comment goes out to Philip Ryan and Owen lydon, I like most others on this would really appreciate if ye would stop commenting on issues ye have 0 amount of knowledge on like rugby, thank you in advance
Yours,
Vast majority of “the score.ie” users
David, nice one. I was saying it this morning how boring P.Ryan and his rants were getting.
I’m guessing he’s a munster man like myself Gary, but he hasn’t a clue!! Especially when it comes to bod who has probably been the greatest rugby player to don the green jersey of Ireland
If only I had a time machine in order to get those last 30 seconds of my life back. Chewing gum for the soul stuff.
“He can’t’ tackle.” Been saying that for years, cant wait for Flash etc to come back with “Sure what do the All Blacks know about Rugby? What have they won? Munster ARE rugby”
ROG a great kicker, unfortunately rugby, especially playing fly half is more than just kicking.
ROG pales compared to Jonny Wilkinson, even Eric Elwood.
I think it was pretty much acknowledged by everyone (including himself) that tackling or physicality wasn’t his strong point, but as a tactician and game manager he was a grand master with few equals.
In fairness to Roy he said it up front, Other sporting books recently out could learn,
Lol this is a very funny article.
Would love to have been at that dinner