Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: dave.woodhall on March 18, 2025, 09:35:26 PM

Title: Another cult hero - Conor Hourihane
Post by: dave.woodhall on March 18, 2025, 09:35:26 PM
Keeping at it in the slack period.

https://heroesandvillains.info/2025/03/18/another-cult-hero-conor-hourihane/
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Copnor Hourihane
Post by: Ian. on March 18, 2025, 09:43:15 PM
Good read that, thanks Dave. He definitely deserves cult hero status.
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Copnor Hourihane
Post by: cdbearsfan on March 18, 2025, 09:45:14 PM
You've got him scoring his final goal for Villa against Norwich, but then he scores for us again later on at Fulham.

Edit: now amended I see 🙂
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Copnor Hourihane
Post by: ldavfc4eva on March 18, 2025, 09:48:21 PM
Excellent write up of one of my recent favourite players
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Copnor Hourihane
Post by: Exeter 77 on March 18, 2025, 09:50:12 PM
A great piece on one of my favourite players of recent seasons.
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Copnor Hourihane
Post by: VillaTim on March 18, 2025, 09:54:16 PM
Really loved hourihane as a player for us , he was a shining light through some dark times .  That goal v Smethwick in the play offs is one of the sweetest strikes I've seen and I was right behind it lower trinity . Brave player too , first on the scene when that twat tried to deck jack at St. Andrews and also right in the mix on that chaotic day at Leeds when they cheated a goal and got AEG sent off.
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Copnor Hourihane
Post by: Villan For Life on March 18, 2025, 09:54:34 PM
Fantastic read and an important player in our regeneration.
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Conor Hourihane
Post by: Legion on March 18, 2025, 11:20:37 PM
Done.
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Conor Hourihane
Post by: cdbearsfan on March 18, 2025, 11:25:57 PM
I always liked him. You've always got a chance with someone who can absolutely twat it in from 25 yards.
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Conor Hourihane
Post by: VillaTim on March 18, 2025, 11:31:53 PM
Left foot like a traction engine.
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Conor Hourihane
Post by: PeterWithesShin on March 19, 2025, 12:03:59 AM
He is one of many that we should never forget as they played a fair role in us going from shit second tier side to the CL. It's still embarassing that some thought it clever to call him 'hologram'.
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Conor Hourihane
Post by: Nev on March 19, 2025, 07:19:36 AM
Loved him, and I can see him being a regular back at our place for years to come. They have been much better players who will never be held in such affection, either through their subsequent attitude or the way they left but CH joins a long list of cult heroes who trump perceived heroes every time
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Conor Hourihane
Post by: Hillbilly on March 19, 2025, 09:05:16 AM
Yes. But how does one pronounce Hourihane? ;-)
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Conor Hourihane
Post by: Abbeyfealeavfc on March 19, 2025, 09:36:01 AM
A class act and a modern Villa legend!
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Conor Hourihane
Post by: TheTimVilla on March 19, 2025, 10:35:25 AM
Yes. But how does one pronounce Hourihane? ;-)

Hourihane. i hope that helps.
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Conor Hourihane
Post by: London Villan on March 19, 2025, 10:53:31 AM
There is a bit of revisionism going on here. There were plenty of games where he was more than anonymous and even got grief off the fans for not putting in a shift - I think it was a game against Norwich where he got some stick from the Holte as he was subbed.

He had a great left foot and was aided massively by Ratboy creating loads of space for him to have time to shoot. He also didn't mind getting stuck in St Andrews and Elland Road spring to mind.

Played his role in getting us promoted, but I wouldn't quite describe him as "legend" status.
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Conor Hourihane
Post by: Sexual Ealing on March 19, 2025, 10:56:09 AM
I would. We wouldn't have been promoted without him.
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Conor Hourihane
Post by: cdbearsfan on March 19, 2025, 10:57:47 AM
Yes. But how does one pronounce Hourihane? ;-)

"Hot - Lips".
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Conor Hourihane
Post by: LeeB on March 19, 2025, 10:58:45 AM
There is a bit of revisionism going on here. There were plenty of games where he was more than anonymous and even got grief off the fans for not putting in a shift - I think it was a game against Norwich where he got some stick from the Holte as he was subbed.

He had a great left foot and was aided massively by Ratboy creating loads of space for him to have time to shoot. He also didn't mind getting stuck in St Andrews and Elland Road spring to mind.

Played his role in getting us promoted, but I wouldn't quite describe him as "legend" status.

It was at home to the stripey filth where he got jeered off, but that marked the nadir for both him and us and only strengthens his cult hero status as he came back from it to play a key role in promotion.
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Conor Hourihane
Post by: Nev on March 19, 2025, 11:15:25 AM
There is a bit of revisionism going on here. There were plenty of games where he was more than anonymous and even got grief off the fans for not putting in a shift - I think it was a game against Norwich where he got some stick from the Holte as he was subbed.

He had a great left foot and was aided massively by Ratboy creating loads of space for him to have time to shoot. He also didn't mind getting stuck in St Andrews and Elland Road spring to mind.

Played his role in getting us promoted, but I wouldn't quite describe him as "legend" status.

It was at home to the stripey filth where he got jeered off, but that marked the nadir for both him and us and only strengthens his cult hero status as he came back from it to play a key role in promotion.

I recall us calling McInally "Dumbo" instead of "Rambo" after poor performances but he's loved these days. Legends brandish medals, cult heroes might not have this but win the hearts and minds of the fans in other areas, not just their football. Look at Mellberg for example, Alan Hutton, Chris Price, Kent Nielsen etc.
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Conor Hourihane
Post by: London Villan on March 19, 2025, 11:20:40 AM
Cult hero - happy with that description of him.
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Conor Hourihane
Post by: darren woolley on March 20, 2025, 09:12:54 AM
Great read Dave.
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Conor Hourihane
Post by: pauliewalnuts on March 20, 2025, 09:48:47 AM
I thought he was a more than decent player with an excellent shot on him.

Legend? No. Cult hero? Definitely.

Always came across as a good bloke, too.
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Conor Hourihane
Post by: aldridgeboy on March 20, 2025, 10:20:57 AM
A definite cult hero. He was in Mcginns box a few games ago ( ooo-er). A really nice guy.

The best long range shot since Hitzselsperger. Maybe more hit sweet than a rocket if that makes sense.

I wonder how he balanced Acadeny work at same time as being Derby Captain?
 
Will always remember him fondly.
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Conor Hourihane
Post by: john e on March 20, 2025, 11:25:05 AM
I was never a massive fan
Always looked good in a three nil win, but when the game wanted some grit and determination and leadership he was nowhere to be seen, hologram is exactly what he was at times
His passing stats were always excellent because he never took risks sideways and back passing most of the time

 had a good shot but also missed a lot scored some important goals,
But then he took every corner and every free kick so again his stats on goal involvements will look great because of that

Decent servant and top class bloke but overrated as a player in my view
Title: Re: Another cult hero - Conor Hourihane
Post by: dave.woodhall on March 20, 2025, 12:55:03 PM
Great read Dave.

Thanks Daz.
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