THE BEGINNING OF a new qualifying campaign is usually the perfect opportunity for a fresh start. A chance to introduce new faces and build for the next 14 months of qualifying action.
But that hasn’t been the case for Martin O’Neill’s Ireland.
Perhaps, giving the benefit of the doubt, the Derryman considered games next month against Georgia and Moldova – the group’s lowest ranked teams – to be a better option to try new players, rather than the tricky opening fixture in Belgrade against an underachieving Serbian side.
One of the most notable omissions of the last squad was Barnsley’s Conor Hourihane, who has not yet won a call-up to the Irish senior squad.
He is not alone though.
Several of the Championship’s top performers so far this season are also Irish, namely Matt Doherty of Wolves, Brentford’s new signing John Egan, as well as Greg Cunningham at Preston.
Not to mention, Chris Forrester who continues to impress with League One’s Peterborough United.
Hourihane was left out from the Ireland squad despite showcasing his talent in the Championship, and was named the the division’s Player of the Month for August, after the Bandon-born midfielder scored two goals and created three assists for the newly-promoted Tykes.
Background
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.
Although he never made a first-team appearance, Hourihane did enough to catch the eye, as he was once again signed by Keane when he was at Ipswich Town.
However, Hourihane still failed to break into the first-team at Portman Road.
The midfielder, who has been linked with a move to Celtic, Rangers and Aston Villa in recent weeks, got his first taste of senior football with Plymouth Argyle in League Two, when he was signed by Peter Reid.
But he is now back in the Championship after surviving relegation twice with the Pilgrims, and moved to Oakwell for £200,000 in the summer of 2014.
Hourihane enjoyed one of the most successful seasons of his career last term after he tasted victory at Wembley twice.
First by lifting the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, before he captained his side to victory over Millwall in the play-off final to secure promotion.
But what would the 25-year-old bring to the Irish team?
1. He has a goalscorer’s instinct
Not unlike Frank Lampard during his time at Chelsea, Hourihane has the habit of being in the right place at the right time to score, as well as making darting and devastating runs from the middle of the park.
Ireland’s midfield is notbale for its lack of return in front of goal, with James McCarthy still goalless for Ireland, while Glenn Whelan has only two goals from 75 caps.
Although, the pair have a holding role, even the more creative Wes Hoolahan has only found the back of the net three times in a green jersey in his 33 caps.
2. He is capable of scoring from distance
In an Ireland side lacking goals, Hourihane could be the player to snatch a vital goal out of nothing.
He is never afraid to shoot, with his long range strikes often finding the back of the net. A lethal weapon to have in what could end up being an extremely tight World Cup qualification group.
3. He is deadly from set-pieces
With his sweet left foot, the man from Leeside could rival Robbie Brady from dead ball situations.
Hourihane built up a reputation of being a threat from 25 yards when playing in League One and Two.
And his fine run of scoring from free-kick positions has continued on into the Championship as he scored this goal below against QPR earlier this season.
4. He could be an option from the spot
Although he is known for being lethal at set-pieces, two consecutively missed penalties, including the one below against Southend last season, resulted in striker Sam Winnall taking over spot kicks for the rest of the last campaign.
Even the best players in the world such as Lionel Messi and Sergio Agüero have far from a flawless record from the spot, but Hourihane will need to firstly regain penalty-taking duties and improve on his record of six successful penalties from nine if he was to be given the responsibility at international level.
5. Leadership skills
Hourihane was named as the captain of Plymouth at the tender age of 21, and has gone to lead Barnsley to the Championship.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side were tipped by many to struggle this season, but they currently sit in the play-off places, just a point behind Huddersfield who lead the table.
Hourihane has started every match so far this season for the newly-promoted side, providing a key role in seven of their 18 league goals – scoring three, and assisting a further four.
The midfielder had to quickly adapt his game after he picked up nine yellow cards, on the way to being sent off twice in his debut season.
But the box-to-box midfielder, who is never afraid to get on the ball, has matured to read the game better.
Although, his best years are still ahead of him, you can’t help but feel Hourihane deserves an opportunity to impress on the international stage.
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