Originally, a hurler who was good enough to play for his local County, Shane Long’s football career commenced at Cork City where his manager was Pat Dolan. Dolan’s twin brother, Eamonn was a coach at Reading at the time which explains why Long subsequently crossed the Irish Sea in time to assist Reading’s successful quest to gain promotion to the Premier League in 2006. He became West Bromwich Albion’s record purchase in 2011 and then three years later moved to the KC stadium. His stay at Hull was short-lived, however, as he joined the large influx of players brought in by Saints new manager, Ronald Koeman for a fee of around £12m.

He originally signed a four-year contract but his eventual stay at St Mary’s was double that and, along the way, he made more substitute appearances (122) for the club than any other previous player, scored the fastest ever Premier League goal (April 2019 away to Watford, see scrapbook section) and generally won the affection of the fans for his never-say-die attitude, hard work and general effervescence. He had his faults, his finishing could be erratic, but one goal he did score will forever be remembered for many years to come. Southampton were holding on to a one-goal advantage in the final moments of a League Cup semi-final at Anfield. From a corner Josh Sims broke with the ball and ran the length of the pitch before passing to Long who had just entered the Liverpool area. He took one touch and then buried the ball in front of the ecstatic away fans to cement Saints passage to the Final.

First capped by the Republic of Ireland in 2007, he had by the time he left Southampton won 88 international caps, a testament to his fitness and durability.