While he may be closing in on his 38th birthday, former Ireland striker David McGoldrick showed he is still capable of doing a job with his exploits in the EFL Trophy last night.

Having joined League One side Barnsley over the summer, McGoldrick has proven to be a valuable addition for recently appointed manager Conor Hourihane. The pair know each other very well, having been teammates at both club and international level in the past.

Hourihane clearly felt that the forward has plenty to offer the club, as evidenced by his hat-trick against the Manchester United U21s last night. Having scored a 43rd minute equaliser from the penalty spot, he would go on to add two more after the interval as Barnsley ran out as 5-2 winners.

David McGoldrick just keeps scoring goals! ⚽️⚽️⚽️ @BarnsleyFC #EFL | #VertuTrophy pic.twitter.com/wNv1tqqlen

— Vertu Trophy (@VertuTrophy) October 21, 2025

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Hourihane Had Huge Praise For Ex Ireland Star After Man United Hat-Trick

Conor Hourihane has experienced a fairly encouraging start to his managerial career, with Barnsley in the mix in the top half of League One. They currently sit six points outside the play-off places, although they have played a game less than all of their rivals.

It will be invaluable to have the experience of David McGoldrick to call on over the coming months, with the Cork man in no doubt of his value at the club.

Speaking to the Barnsley Chronicle after the game, Hourihane said this game was a prime example of the striker’s elite mentality.

I really wanted to play Didzy. He hasn’t played for a few weeks. He needed to dust the cobwebs off.

He turns up and scores a hat-trick.

No matter who you’re playing against, whether it’s in the Premier League or in this competition in front of a thousand people, he’s got the mentality to do it right all the time.

David McGoldrick previously netted a brace against Manchester United in the Premier League, and while this fixture was not quite to the same level, he will no doubt be pleased to score a hat-trick.

He will now be hoping to carry that form into this weekend’s game against Rotherham.

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