CORKMAN CONOR HOURIHANE set up all three goals for Barnsley in their 3-0 win over Birmingham City this weekend, as the midfielder continues his fine form in the Championship.
The former Ireland underage international, who was named the Championship’s Player of the Month for August, has won many admirers this season with his all-action performances as well as his sweet left foot.
Hourihane, who showed why he has a reputation for being deadly from set-pieces, provided the cross for defender Marc Roberts to head home early in the game, for the first of three assists.
Then twice in the final six minutes, the 25-year-old captain provided striker Sam Winnall with two inch-perfect deliveries to wrap up the victory.
The first coming in the 84th minute.
With his hat-trick of assits completed just three minutes later, to make it eight for the season – the most in the division.
The win lifts Barnsley up to 12th, six points behind Sheffield Wednesday in the last play-off spot.
The former Ireland U21 international has been included in Martin O’Neill’s expanded squad lists in the past, but has yet to feature in the final selection.
Elsewhere, Robbie Brady starred for Norwich City in their 5-0 thumping over Brentford.
The 24-year-old Ireland international put the ball on a plate for Jacob Murphy to score the opener.
And the Dubliner scored a goal of his own, his third league strike of the season, in the second-half. International teammate Wes Hoolahan was an unused substitute.
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