Reds Skipper Conor Hourihane has been awarded with the Sky Bet Player Of The Month for August!
In a blistering start to the new season, the midfielder has scored two goals and provided three assists in his opening five matches, helping the Reds to third in the table!
It would have been three goals, but his thunderous strike against Derby County rebounded into the goal off the back of Scott Carson in the 2-0 win.
The talismanic Irishman has enjoyed an almost perfect start to the new season, scoring Barnsley’s first goal on their return to the Championship on the opening day away at Ipswich Town.
He followed that up by providing the assist for Marley Watkins to score the second Reds goal at Portman Road, before excelling in the first Oakwell league match of the campaign against Derby.
His passing, tackling and vision was instrumental in the victory over the Rams and he displayed his excellent leadership qualities to help the Reds to a last-minute victory against Queens Park Rangers.
In the South-Yorkshire derby, Conor helped prevent Rotherham United’s attacking players getting anywhere near the Reds goal as well as being a driving force in the centre of the park.
Upon being presented with his award, Hourihane said, “It’s fantastic to get recognition, especially at Championship level.
“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.”
Reds Head Coach Paul Heckingbottom has also been incredibly impressed with Hourihane’s performances and his bright start to the new season.
Heckingbottom was full of praise for his Captain and hopes this will provide a springboard for him to gain an international call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad.
Hecky said, “Conor’s award is fully deserved, it’s a reflection of his performances. Although he’s stepped up a league, Conor’s performances have just 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.”
It's three out of three home wins for the Reds at #FortressOakwell so far this season!
Watch Hourihane and the rest of his teammates in action for the rest of the 2016/17 Sky Bet Championship season by securing your Season Ticket now! Click here for more details!
