Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane on decision to promote Kieren Flavell as Reds sign off on road with 'professional' win
BARNSLEY head coach Conor Hourihane stressed it was the 'right time' to hand the goalkeeping gloves to Kieren Flavell at Northampton Town - and confirmed that the academy product will also start in Saturday's final-day encounter with Stockport County at Oakwell.
The Reds wrapped up their League One programme on the road in 2025-26 with a 1-0 win at relegated Northampton on Tuesday night in Hourihane's final, as Hourihane's final away match in charge ended in a welcome victory.
In the process, Barnsley recorded just their fsecond league clean sheet away from Oakwell since August 19.
Academy product Flavell replaced loanee Owen Goodman in goal, making just his second league appearance of the season and recording a shut-out.
Hourihane, who takes charge of the Reds for the final time this weekend before leaving the club, said: "I am delighted for him. And he'll play again on Saturday. We said that he'll get the last couple of games.
"He'll probably get worked more on Saturday. There's no getting away from that.
"But what he did tonight was really solid and great for him.
"It was the right time. Obviously Flav got an extra game against Burton as well that wasn't expected through Owen's own situation.
"It was planned that Flav would get the last two games and he's obviously had the Burton game as well. So great for him tonight to go and play and keep the clean sheet.”
Reyes Cleary's 37th-minute winner, when he finished off a fine team move, saw mid-table Barnsley triumph and move up to 13th - leapfrogging South Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rovers in the process.
In the process, the Cobblers set a new - and unwanted - club record of 10 straight league defeats.
Hourihane, whose side had lost their last two games, at Luton Town and Stevenage, added: "It was just important to win before the season was out.
"I didn't want the season to fall by the wayside and not put in some performances that would mean getting some positive results.
“I just thought it was a really professional performance. I asked the lads to go out there and win a game of football for everyone, for fans, for staff, for coaching staff, for medical staff, for kit men, for themselves, fans who obviously travelled and fans who were at home.
"We probably could have got another to make it that little bit more comfortable but look, it's just nice to win. We haven't won enough over the course of the season.”
“I've been looking for a little bit more quality in the final third over the last few games.
“Stevenage, we didn't score. Luton, we could have had more if we showed that ruthlessness.