Ireland international Conor Hourihane fronted up to the Derby County fans after scoring an own goal in their defeat at Shrewsbury Town on Saturday afternoon.
Hourihane's own-goal was the only goal of the game, as Derby fell to a fourth defeat of the season in League One.
After full-time, fan footage from the Derby end captured Hourihane attempting to apologise to the away supporters, before appearing to defend himself and the team against complaints from a section of fans.
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Conor Hourihane apologises to Derby fans after own goal
In footage captured on Saturday, Ireland international Conor Hourihane can be seen mid-argument with a group of fans at the front of the Derby end at The Meadow.
Derby player Conor Hourihane facing the angry Derby fans after their loss at Shrewsbury this afternoon insisting that “we’re trying our best”…
Fair play to him for approaching the fans and understanding their frustrations. #DCFC pic.twitter.com/DZdl70RiyX— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) October 21, 2023
Hourihane was unfortunate to turn the ball into his own net ten minutes after being introduced as a substitute on Saturday, and seemed to defend himself and his teammates from the complaints of the Derby County fans. He could be heard saying:
It's all for me?
I'm trying my best. We're trying our best. What do you want me to do?
Given Derby are only four points off the play-off places with two games in hand, it may come as a surprise to see such reactions from their fans - but the frustrations of the fans at a lack of progress in their second season in League One is palpable..
This season has been a frustrating one for Conor Hourihane and Derby County alike.
A poor start saw Derby lose three of their first six games, and they have struggled for consistency thus far under head coach Paul Warne.
Club captain Hourihane, who has 36 caps for the Republic of Ireland, has also struggled for form in recent weeks.
The 32-year-old enjoyed a stronger start to the season than most of his teammates, scoring two and chalking up two assists in his first six games, before being forced off with a hamstring injury in his seventh.
Since returning from injury, he has been resigned to a bench role, and his own goal on Saturday is his only contribution of note since that layoff.
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