Reading Football Club and former Tipperary Minor Hurler, Shane Long have signed a new contract which keeps him at the Madejski Soccer Stadium until the summer of 2012 at least.
The 23-year-old’s previous contract was due to expire this summer, but the club have decided to further secured the talent of this very promising Irish international.
Shane who was reared to the sports of Tipperary GAA hurling and football, only began playing soccer in his late teens, and has now marked himself as one of the hottest properties outside the Premier League.
Shane has also made himself available for the Republic of Ireland squad, both scoring and being named ‘man of the match’ in his Ireland’s last two Euro 2012 qualifying games.
Manager Brian McDermott has stated, “I am proud that Shane has committed himself to this club by signing this new contract, he has scored crucial goals at the very highest level during our last two seasons in the Premier League and remains one of our own and I am very pleased he remains completely committed to the Reading Club.”
This has been a good year for Shane and he is delighted by Tipperary’s All Ireland hurling title being brought back home. As stated, Shane has played many sports as a youngster wearing his native Gortnahoe-Glengoole G.A.A. colours in both hurling and Gaelic football and playing youth soccer with St. Kevin’s schoolboy’s club in Two-Mile-Borris for over five seasons.
Lar Corbett Named 2010 Opel GPA Players Of The Year
Meanwhile, back here at the ranch, Tipperary’s All-Ireland final hero Lar Corbett and Dublin ace Bernard Brogan have been named as the 2010 Opel GPA Players of the Year. Both players will now receive a brand new Opel Astra worth approximately €25,000.
Dessie Farrell, Chief Executive of the Gaelic Players’ Association, said: “While Championship success is totally dependent on team effort, there is no doubt that the individuals named, stood out this year and their displays have now been acknowledged by their fellow players, who have voted them the Opel GPA Players of the Year.”
Hope Shane does well with the Irish Team next wednesday.