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Hourihane with his award. Twittter/SkyBetChampionship

Irish midfielder Hourihane's superb form recognised with Championship Player of the Month award

The 25-year-old midfielder has been ripping it up with Barnsley this season.

CONOR HOURIHANE HAS BEEN earning plenty of plaudits for his displays at Barnsley this season and this morning was named Championship Player of the Month.

The Cork-born midfielder scored two goals and created three assists for the newly-promoted Tykes, who sit third in the table thanks to three wins and two defeats from their opening five matches.

25-year-old Hourihane spent time under Roy Keane at Sunderland and Ipswich Town before establishing himself with Plymouth Argyle.

He joined Barnsley in 2014 and has since earned a reputation as one of the finest midfielders outside England’s top flight.

A former Ireland U21 international, he has been watched by Martin O’Neill in recent times and must surely be looking at a first call-up to the senior squad if he continues his current form.

“It’s fantastic to get recognition, especially at Championship level,” said Hourihane. “We’ve all had a good start as a team and I hope we can keep it up.

It’s nice to receive an award like this and it just gives me more motivation to try and win another, but I would be just as happy if one of my teammates won one as well.”

Check out Hourihane’s fabulous free-kick against QPR (38 seconds in): 

Queens Park Rangers FC / YouTube

Barnsley manager Paul Heckingbottom added: “Although he’s stepped up a league, Conor’s performances have continued to improve and it shows the strides he’s making.

“It’s fully-deserved and hopefully now if he keeps this run of form going and reproduces it in the next month he’ll be pushing for an international call-up.”

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16 Comments
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    Mute Seán O Sullivan
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    Sep 4th 2016, 1:01 PM

    Throw McClean up against ivanovic on the wing and McClean will make him look like shit

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    Mute Stuart Kelly
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    Sep 4th 2016, 5:34 PM

    Serbs are expecting us to sit back, let’s hope we do not, let’s play high tempo and put the shitz up them

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    Mute Padraig
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    Sep 4th 2016, 1:02 PM

    I’m after losing interest in this match for the fact that MON has put loyalty ahead of picking some of our better performing players.

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    Mute wayne barron
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    Sep 4th 2016, 1:34 PM

    Like who?

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    Mute Sideshow Brendan
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    Sep 4th 2016, 1:58 PM

    You’ll probably say they are tripe then join the tournament bandwagon

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    Mute Augustus hoop
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    Sep 4th 2016, 2:03 PM

    Other than mcgeady (who is really only there because no one else creative has put their hand up – or is fit (judge)), I don’t think anyone is in that squad due to loyalty alone?
    Not too many were unlucky to miss out either – maybe pilkington, mason, Egan and Doherty are the only ones I can think of….?

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    Mute Padraig
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    Sep 4th 2016, 2:06 PM

    John Egan,Matt Doherty and Conor Hourihane are currently playing better and are 23,24 and 25 respectively so they are not exactly kids.Its a shame that these lads could end up like Weso making their debut in their latter years.

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    Mute Patrick JDoherty
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    Sep 4th 2016, 2:09 PM

    Connor Sammon, of course.

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    Mute Ewan Euphrenza
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    Sep 4th 2016, 3:02 PM

    I think the idea behind this squad is trying to keep the Euros form rolling. It would be hard to get Egan, Doherty and Hourihane up to speed with just a friendly against Oman. We actually have a lot of options at centre back and in midfield, so calling up Egan and Hourihane would be a bit pointless outside of giving them exposure. Every minute you spend getting them up to speed is a minute that could be spent preparing for Serbia.

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    Mute Padraig
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    Sep 4th 2016, 4:33 PM

    @Ewan
    We can have a million options but the players I mentioned are better than who MON has in the squad according to current stats.Also I don’t know what ‘up to speed’ you are on about,these lads are starting for their clubs,are club captains and are scoring goals.

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    Mute Augustus hoop
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    Sep 4th 2016, 5:01 PM

    Hourihane has played what 4-5 games in the championship and you want him
    In ahead of lads that start for their clubs in the prem (and other than Hendrick also did last year)??
    Same with Egan….
    I think it’s a bit too much to be expecting such a quick step up to international football (though I’d agree I’d like to see them in squad).
    Re Doherty having been watched both Christie and him, for me Christie offers more….. Particularly with his lacs given the lack of pace across the rest of the back 4!
    It always frustrates me how good players are before they are called up for us.
    Glenn whelan was an absolute super star when he was captaining Wednesday and not getting called up for us….. Daryl Murphy, Gibson, ward, McCarthy, Sheridan – were all much better players before they were given a chance and then suddenly once they were people were asking why they kept being picked!!

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    Mute Padraig
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    Sep 4th 2016, 5:36 PM

    @Augustus
    I gave you their ages above.When do we give these players their first cap.Do we wait till they turn 30?.

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    Mute Augustus hoop
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    Sep 4th 2016, 11:40 PM

    Either in a friendly – or if it’s a competitive match (this match is huge for the entire campaign) when they have clearly shown they are the best options available. 4-5 games at the same or a level below those they are competing with, isn’t clearly showing it…..

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    Mute running man
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    Sep 5th 2016, 7:58 AM

    O,Connell at Celtic Horgan at Dundalk to name 2

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    Mute Aidan O connor
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    Sep 4th 2016, 6:27 PM

    Serbians

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