WINNING the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month award, Conor Hourihane has completed a unique feat.

The Barnsley boss picked up the managerial award after guiding the Tykes through an undefeated November, and it also means that he has won monthly awards as both a player and a manager.

As a Barnsley player, the Bandon man won the League One Player of the Month award for August 2014.

Two years later, Hourihane, still at Barnsley, was crowned the Championship Player of the Month for August 2016.

So, on and off the pitch, the West Cork man is making an impact.

‘Since retiring nearly a year ago my life has been pretty relentless and non-stop. This is a moment I will always cherish. So proud of the work everyone is doing at the club, thanks to the staff and players for their continued hard work,’ said Hourihane, who is in his first season in charge of the League One club.

Conor Hourihane with his Player of the Month award in 2016.

Back in April he took over as Barnsley’s head coach after impressing club bosses during his spell as temporary head coach following Darrell Clarke’s departure.

This is Hourihane’s first managerial role, and the club sit in eighth place in the League One table, just outside the play-off spots, but they have games in hand.

He has impressed so far by introducing an energetic attacking style, with Danny Wilson, who chairs the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month judging panel, explaining: ‘Conor’s move to field some younger players and play in a slightly different style has paid dividends in November. A 5-0 win against Luton and a 2-1 derby win at Doncaster brought them seven points from their three games.’

Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman added: ‘A shift in style looks to have brought success for Conor Hourihane and Barnsley. Conor has put faith in his young players, and that has brought a new energy and flair to the team. After a mixed start, he will be hoping this form continues, and they can be in a genuine promotion race.’