REPUBLIC OF IRELAND U21 international Conor Hourihane lifted the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy aloft at Wembley this afternoon as he captained Barnsley to a 3-2 win over Oxford United.
The League One side trailed to Irish midfielder Callum O’Dowda’s first-half goal but three goals in 23 minutes turned the game as Barnsley won their first piece of silverware in a decade.
An own goal and further strikes from Ashley Fletcher, who is on loan from Man United, and Adam Hammill was enough for the Tykes to complete the turnaround.
Danny Hylton did get Oxford back in the game with 10 minutes remaining but Barnsley held on to win the trophy for the first time.
25-year-old Hourihane is in his third season at Oakwell after moving to Yorkshire from Plymouth Argyle.
The midfielder has plied his trade in the Football League since progressing through the youth ranks at Sunderland.
After a couple of seasons without making the breakthrough at the Stadium of Light, Hourihane instead opted to join Ipswich where his idol, Roy Keane, was the manager.
However, he failed to make a single appearance at Portman Road and went to Plymouth in search of first team opportunities.
His stock has risen considerably since then and walking up the famous Wembley steps to lift the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy will no doubt have been a memorable moment for the Bandon man.
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