Conor's Shock Tactics

AS all golfers know, it is not how, it is how many, and John Sheridan’s first game as Argyle manager realised the maximum three points.

They were set on their way to a 2-1 victory over Morecambe – which completed a league double over the Shrimps – by captain Conor Hourihane.

His tenth-minute strike came from his weaker right foot and, as such, shocked even the scorer.

“When I looked up, I thought ‘This is going in’ - I was a bit surprised myself,” he told Argyle Player. “It was a great start. It got us going a bit.

“I’m delighted with the goal – delighted with the win, first and foremost: it’s nice to get the winning feeling back.”

The second goal came from Paris Cowan-Hall six minutes later after being set up by Conor’s fellow Irish Under-21 international Ronan Murray, who was making his Argyle debut on loan from Ipswich.

“I’ve known him since I was about 14,” said Conor. “He’s a good lad who will get on with the lads well, and a good little player who will score you goals if he gets a chance. He put a good shift in.”

After the storming start, the Pilgrims had to be disciplined and patient in defence, and endured a nervous final ten minutes after Morecambe substitute Ryan Williams pulled a goal back.

Conor said: “I know we probably didn’t play too well, especially in the second half, but we won, and that’s the main thing.

“We grinded it out. I think we probably sat back a little too much but, the position we’re in, we’ll do anything to win.

“Fair play to the lads, we dug in, stuck together, and saw it out.”

After a cracking start, Conor is hoping that the appointment of the new manager – like him, an Irish international central midfielder – can continue to benefit his game.

“Hopefully, he’ll show me a thing or two,” he said. “He’s been great and he got off to a good start. I’m sure we’ll keep going.

“He was always shouting over from the side of the pitch and, at half-time, he was telling me one or two things.

“Every manager’s different and you learn something off every manager, I’m sure I’ll learn something off him.”