Former Ireland midfielder Conor Hourihane calls time on his playing career

Former Ireland midfielder Conor Hourihane has called time on his playing career to focus on coaching.

The 33-year-old has agreed to become the assistant head coach at League One side Barnsley, having combined playing with coaching this season.

Hourihane enjoyed a long and storied career in English football that saw him, among other achievements, score in all four divisions.

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The Corkman moved as a teenager to join the Sunderland academy before he was lured into joining Roy Keane's Ipswich Town in 2010.

Hourihane would find his feet at League Two's Plymouth Argyle and then joined Barnsley in League One in 2014.

The midfielder thrived at Oakwell Stadium and was quickly named club captain as the team earned promotion to the Championship through the playoffs.

His form attracted the attention of Aston Villa, where he played in their promotion-winning side in 2019.

Loan moves to Swansea City and Sheffield United, and a spell with Derby County would follow before Hourihane returned to Barnsley this summer.

The initial plan was for the Bandon man to play for the club for two years before hanging up his boots.

But Hourihane's coaching commitments at the club led him to make a tough decision.

The 36-times-capped Ireland midfielder: “I have loved every second of my time as a player at all the clubs I represented.

"The two Wembley victories with Barnsley and getting promoted and playing in the Premier League for Aston Villa are moments I will remember forever and I am grateful to so many people, starting with my parents who allowed me to come to England at 16 years of age.

“My intention was to play, but a combination of not feeling I could perform to the standard I expected and the amazing coaching opportunity that Barnsley have provided has meant I have come to this decision and I am excited to become a full-time Assistant Head Coach to Darrell at Oakwell.”

Barnsley Head Coach Darrell Clarke said: "Conor has been outstanding as a coach, the workload is huge and it’s a job he has taken very seriously and therefore we are in a position where it’s simply not possible to maintain both roles.

"I’m delighted with Conor’s progress, he is a top coach but also a mentor to a lot of young men within the Club looking to replicate the career he has had."

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