Derby County has released Conor Hourihane, a former Barnsley and Sheffield United midfielder.
The 33-year-old’s two-year contract with the Rams has expired, as confirmed by Derby’s retained list release. He is regarded as a potential candidate for a player-coach position at Barnsley, as the Reds seek to herald in a new era following the dismissal of Neill Collins. He previously played for the Reds from 2014 to 2017, becoming a beloved figure among fans at Oakwell. He made 134 games and scored 31 goals and 48 assists.
In 2017, the midfielder left South Yorkshire to join Aston Villa. He did, however, return to the country during the 2021/22 season on loan to Sheffield United. He has completed his Derby career on a positive note, assisting the Rams in securing promotion back to the Championship without the necessity for the playoffs. Derby and Portsmouth will join the second tier next season, with Bolton Wanderers or Oxford United likely to follow.
Barnsley are now in a transitional moment, and Hourihane isn’t the only player linked with a return to Oakwell. Former Reds manager Daniel Stendel is alleged to have approached the club about taking over for a second time.
The club fired him in October 2019, although the decision drew criticism from certain Barnsley fans.
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