Snake Eye

I could talk about how the 2011 January Transfer market has seen well over 100 million pounds been spent on players in England alone. Or I could comment and say that Andy Carroll the terrrific young talent that he is, costed Liverpool more money than Barcelona's capture of David Villa from Valencia. I could talk about it but I won't, I think it is hilarious that David Villa a World Cup winner and the spear head of the most dominate football team in the world costs less than a 21 year old Englishman from Gateshead on Tyne and Wear. I like to talk about things people tend to overlook, you know the little surprises. Snake Eye looks such things. The player who doesn't get that much mention in the papers or has that gigantic contract with some multicolored sports drink. The man who quietly goes about his business.





Name: Shane Patrick Long




D/O/B: 01/22/1987




Place Of Birth: Gortnahoe,Tipperary, Republic of Ireland




Position: Striker




Height: 5'11 ft/inches




National Team: Republic of Ireland




National Team Debut: Republic of Ireland vs San Marino Feb.7 2007




Club Team(s): Cork City (IRE) 2004-05, Reading FC (ENG) 2005-present




Fortunately the football fraternity were able to wrestle away this prime talent from the gaelic grip of Hurling. Shane Long before he became the mainstay in Republic of Ireland's frontline or that cult hero at Reading, Shane was a hurler. I don't know much about hurling and I don't want to offend anyone but to me it looks like a cross between rugby and lacrosse. It is quite interesting I have to admit. That is far from an insult in fact that is testament to the athletic prowess of this young Irishman. Hurling looks completely alien from football and to make the transition from on sport to the other is really impressive.
  Shane Patrick Long born in Tipperary, Ireland. Quick, sturdy and aggressive, Shane isn't a household name to most but he over the years has really dug in there and is craving out a name for himself. In 2004 he made his first and only appearance for the Irish outfit Cork City before being snapped up my Reading in 2005 where at this moment he plies his traded.
  It is quiet unbelievable that Shane to this date in the great year of 2011 has been at Reading for half of a decade.  When he arrived he was the fourth choice striker behind countryman Kevin Doyle and the likes of the Dave Kitson and Leroy Lita but still he hung around and played the patience game. The three men that kept him bay have all been long gone and now Long finds himself at the apex of the Berkshire club's striking hierarchy. He is that guy. That being the one who puts the ball into the back of the net. A few years ago when Reading was relegated in that the season of 07-08 he had real no part in it, though it could not have been pleasant. Now his aim is to fire the Royals into the top flight of England.
  One way he can do that is my his form in international play. Long is now a recognized Irish international. Once again like early in his career at club level he finds Kevin Doyle in his way and Robbie Keane giving know indication he is walking away from the international game anytime soon he has to lack for a better word up his game. Another Irishman that may debunk Shane's shot as the Irish's (#9) is the emergence of a one Leon Best. The Newcastle forward has a prime opportunity to show what he can do with Andy's Carroll's unexpected transfer to Liverpool.
  What I can say though is that Shane is a way better footballer than he is a hurler I am confident in that statement. He really does have a punch about him a guy who gets in between defenders and chases down the ball. That is what he has do. He is an old fashion striker who uses his tricks to get him out of harms way and gives the defender the odd tackle to let him know he is there. Let's see how he gets on.