Irish Abroad: Roy Keane’s advice to Conor Hourihane

Conor Hourihane revealed to the Sunday Times that fellow Cork native Roy Keane gave him advice before last season’s League One play-off final.

The Barnsley midfielder said that;

“He wished me all the best and said that nobody remembers the losers at Wembley; you want to go there and win. It was a fantastic call to get because I still look up to him. Hopefully we will meet again in the future.”

Barnsley won 3-1 against Milwall on the day, with Hourihane grabbing two crucial assists.

The former Ireland U21 international joined Sunderland as a 16-year-old and linked up with the current Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane at the Stadium of Light, and they also worked together at Ipswich.

Now 25, Hourihane enjoyed a stellar season with the Tykes in 2015/16, scoring 10 league goals in 44 appearances from midfield during the promotion campaign, and also captained the side to  the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy glory.

The Cork man captains Barnsley, and has scored three goals in eight appearances in the Championship thus far. Two goals and three assists in the opening weeks of the season saw him named the Championship Player of the Month for August.

Hourihane has yet to earn an Ireland call up, but he”ll be hoping that his fine club form earns will see him included in Martin O’Neill’s 2018 World Cup qualifying plans.