Age : 25
Nationality : Irish
Position : Central Midfielder
Club : Barnsley
Career Apps : 261
Career Goals : 45
Career so far : Sunderland (2009/10) - 0Apps/0Goals
Ipswich Town (2010/11) - 0Apps/0Goals
Plymouth Argyle (2011/14) - 142Apps/16Goals
Barnsley (2014/Present) - 119Apps/29Goals
Like Marcus Maddison, Hourihane had to drop from a big club in the North East down to a lower league to make a name for himself. He had the opportunity to stay at Sunderland but opted to join Ipswich Town as they were managed by his idol, Roy Keane. It was a decision he'd regret as he failed to make an appearance for the Championship side and was released at the end of the season. Plymouth was where he would make a name for himself and after being given his senior debut on the 6th August 2011 against Shrewsbury, he's never looked back. He was a reliable and consistent performer at Plymouth and was rewarded for his hard work and dedication when he was made captain when he was just 21. In his final season at Plymouth, he started to show glimpses that he could not only make goals but score them aswell as he notched up 9 in 53 appearances, missing just one game all year. He was rewarded for his incredible performances at Plymouth when he was signed on the 23rd June 2014 by Barnsley for a fee of £250,000. He hit the ground running at his new club and repaid the trust put in him as in his first two seasons at the club, he had already scored 10 more than he did in 3 years at Plymouth. In December 2015, he was made captain of the club and led by example on the pitch as Barnsley achieved promotion back to the Championship. This season, Conor has proven yet again that stepping up another level in the football pyramid will not affect his performances as he has played a part in 13 of their goals this year (scoring 3, assisting 8). He may not have scored in 12 games but his consistency, creativity and leadership has guided Barnsley into 12th so far, just 6 points off the playoffs. I honestly believe he's the best central midfielder in the Championship, his work rate is superb, his range of passing is incredible and he can make a goal out of nothing. From dead ball situations, you'll do well to find a player as consistent as him at putting quality deliveries into his teammates. I think he'd fit in well at a team like Swansea or Burnley but I really hope he stays at Barnsley, the fans love him, he seems to be really enjoying his football and could become a club legend there.
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