Conor Hourihane says leaving Barnsley in the summer is a ‘real mutual, amicable termination’ and he was proud of his players for reacted to finding that out this morning then an early red card and producing ‘one of the best performances of the season’ in a 2-2 home draw with Bradford City.

The club announced at 9.30am, three hours before kick-off, that Hourihane would leave after the end of the season. Vimal Yoganathan was sent off on eight minutes then, after Eoghan O’Connell scored, the promotion-chasing visitors went 2-1 up before a late leveller by Leo Farrell.

Hourihane told the Chronicle: “The players reported for pre-match as normal, we had a quick meeting, I let them know a couple of minutes before it was announced. It was really important for me to do that.

“The permanent manager role started with a meeting down at Leyton Orient in front of the group, and I wanted it the same way this morning. It was right for me to kind of talk to them and let them know what's happening.

“And for them to put it to one side and to have a sending off that was so early in the game, it was a lot to take on, but full credit to them.”

Hourihane said talks had been ongoing with the board all week.

“It's been happening over the last kind of a week or so and busy few days. I don't think there's ever going to be a right time because of our schedule.

“You know, we got Saturday, we got Tuesday, we got Saturday, we got Tuesday. So, whenever we announce it, whether it's this morning, whether it's Monday, there's going to be a game around the corner.

“So I wanted it to do it today. I just wanted it out there.

“I didn't want the kind of the burden of carrying it around and not speaking to the players properly on this or whatever.

“I asked them for a performance to make me proud. And, you know, by God, they kind of did they pay me back.”

He added: “Just a general discussion between myself, board, club, how it's going to look moving forward. And we came to the conclusion that it was, it was best to part ways.

“The statement's out there. It says what it says.

“The discussions will stay in-house and very private, obviously. There's great respect between me, club, board, fans, everyone involved.

“And we just felt, look, at the end of the season, it's probably the right time just to part ways. We've got really important four games to go.

“I want to finish strongly, give the club the best platform moving forward to go into the summer in the best shape possible. And off the back of the last three games, I think that we're getting into that place.”

Asked if it was related to his interview in March when he said ‘it will be the same next season’, Hourihane said: “No, not necessarily. Like I understand that people will probably point to kind of that interview or that comment or whatever.

“And that's their conclusion.

“Both parties probably felt that it's probably the right choice.”

He added: “I’ve been supported since being in here. There's been some brilliant decisions behind the scenes made for me.

“There's been some decisions where, like any manager, you want a little bit more. And so there's nothing in terms of support and how that's going to look that's made me come to the conclusion between the discussions.

“It's just been a real mutual, amicable termination. We both move forward in, in different directions and so on."

Yoganathan was sent off for a tackle on seven minutes.

“In the heat of the moment you want to shout: is that a red? But, watching it back, it probably was if I am being totally honest.

“I have praised the ref for that after the game.

“Vimal had so many duels and tackles in the previous two games ands come out with the ball. He mistimed that one. He will be disappointed for himself but proud of the lads.”

Hourihane thought Barnsley should have had a penalty for a foul on Reyes Cleary but he was booked for diving.

“That decision is so poor.

"The ref said he was five yards away and in line, the lad lunged, Reyes toe-poked it past him, how he’s not given it I can’t believe it. We got something from the game and we’re happy but I think we could have won.”

Hourihane praised his players’ character.

“As a team they were unbelievable. One of the best performances all season.

“There was a lot of emotion with the news but I am proud of the team. Bradford are relentless, near the top of the league. I am so proud of the team for the chances they created and the work ethic. In the second half we were going to suffer and get tired, playing against the wind and towards their fans.

"They had a couple of opportunities before they scored, that they probably felt that they should have scored themselves.

“But I always felt there was a moment late on in the game. Could we take it?

"And I'm just thrilled that we got something from the game, because like I said, I think no one here watching this game could say it any different.”

Leo Farrell netted a 96th-minute leveller, his first senior goal.

Hourihane said: “Amazing. Fazz, right time, right place.

“He's one of those strikers that is a big physical presence. But he's not one of the big physical presence that's going to flick things on.

“But he's a right place, right time striker. And if he gets a half chance, he's got a very, very good finish.

“He’s kind of a fox in the box type and he'll be in and around the middle of the goal. And that's exactly where he was today.

“We worked all season and you've probably seen the combination between Patrick Kelly and Reyes getting in behind a lot this year. You know, Reyes running off the back and Pat slipping, cross under, we call it, and a tap in.

"So just delighted that the lads have got something from the game because they've fully, fully deserted.”

Farrell added: “My eyes sort of shut. I don't know if it's because I got wiped out but I heard the crowd erupt and I thought I must have found the back of the net.

“So it was amazing. I think when Reyes gets in that position, he always wants to slide it across the six-yard box.

“So it's just about getting myself in the right position to sort of prod it in.

“Mum and dad and my agent were in the stands. I've seen them at the end.

“I think my mum messaged me as well saying she was nearly in tears when it went in. So it's a nice feeling.”