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Football

17th Jan 2017

Supporters reckon FA Cup defeat all but confirms Corkman’s Barnsley exit

Is that that?

Darragh Murphy

Conor Hourihane set up another goal on Tuesday night because, well, that’s just what Conor Hourihane does.

But his assist for Angus MacDonald’s equaliser means absolutely nothing now as Barnsley were eliminated from the FA Cup at the very end of extra time by a dramatic Blackpool winner.

The third round replay was a closely contested affair but the fact that the Championship side failed to put away League Two opposition on home soil left many Barnsley fans worrying that Hourihane’s mind has been made up.

The Cork-born midfielder is one of the most discussed players this January, as Aston Villa emerged as front-runners for Hourihane’s signature.

Villa were understood to have made a £1.25 million offer for the 25-year-old, who would be set to make four times what he is currently earning if he signed on the dotted line.

More recently, there were talks that Hourihane may not move in this transfer window after Barnsley rejected an offer from Sheffield Wednesday.

But that shred of hope to which so many Tykes fans were clinging seems to be growing smaller by the hour as supporters foresaw a prompt exit for their club captain after Tuesday night’s result.

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