CONOR Hourihane played down the importance personally of getting another win before the end of the 2024/25 season but admitted he enjoyed the final day 4-2 success at Reading.

The Irishman had won one in nine as interim or permanent Barnsley head coach, including a 2-1 loss to bottom club Shrewsbury in the final home game, but his side impressed in a win over the Royals who could have finished in the top six.

Hourihane told the Chronicle: “I wouldn’t say it’s important for me but it’s lovely to win.

“I love winning football matches.

“I loved it when I was a player and it’s no different now.

“I want to try and win as many games as possible for the football club.

“I hate losing, I want to improve all the time.

“It was the 91st minute at Reading and I was still telling lads to press and do better.

“Ultimately if it’s one or two wins under me, I just loving winning games of football.”

One of the main facets of Hourihane’s spell in the Oakwell hotseat so far has been his willingness to play academy players.

Kieren Graham, 17, came off the bench for his debut at Reading while Jonathan Bland, 19, registered a first assist playing in midfield after a spell at right-back.

“I have made a big thing about the history of the club and the academy connection.

“I wanted to see Blandy in the middle of the pitch.

“He will be in my plans moving forward.

“He has been at right-back but I wanted his energy in the middle.

“He was brilliant, he chucked his hat in the ring for being a centre midfielder at this level.”

Barnsley under 18s drew 1-1 at home to Cardiff in their final game.

They finished sixth in the league.

Barnsley under 21s then lost 3-0 at Brentford on Monday and finished ninth in their league.