View source for Shane Long

{{Short description|Irish footballer (born 1987)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Shane Long
| image = FIFA WC-qualification 2014 - Austria vs Ireland 2013-09-10 - Shane Long 02.jpg
| caption = Long with the [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]] in 2013
| full_name = Shane Patrick Long<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/612828 |title=Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed |publisher=Premier League |date=2 February 2018 |access-date=15 February 2018}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|1|22|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Shane Long Profile |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/3206/Shane-Long/overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=28 January 2020 }}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Gortnahoe]], Ireland
| height = 1.80 m<ref>{{cite web|title=Shane Long: Football Association of Ireland|url=http://www.fai.ie/ireland/player/99315|publisher=[[Football Association of Ireland]]|access-date=22 March 2015|date=22 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704221930/http://www.fai.ie/ireland/player/99315 |archive-date=4 July 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]]
| currentclub = 
| clubnumber = 
| youthyears1 = 1994–2002
| youthclubs1 = Borris St. Kevins
| youthyears2 = 2002–2004
| youthclubs2 = [[St. Michael's A.F.C.|St. Michael's]]
| youthyears3 = 2004–2005
| youthclubs3 = [[Cork City F.C.|Cork City]]
| years1 = 2005
| clubs1 = [[Cork City F.C.|Cork City]]
| caps1 = 1
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2005–2011
| clubs2 = [[Reading F.C.|Reading]]
| caps2 = 174
| goals2 = 44
| years3 = 2011–2014
| clubs3 = [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]]
| caps3 = 81
| goals3 = 19
| years4 = 2014
| clubs4 = [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]]
| caps4 = 15
| goals4 = 4
| years5 = 2014–2022
| clubs5 = [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]
| caps5 = 198
| goals5 = 28
| years6 = 2021
| clubs6 = → [[AFC Bournemouth]] (loan)
| caps6 = 11
| goals6 = 2
| years7 = 2022–2023
| clubs7 = [[Reading F.C.|Reading]]
| caps7 = 30
| goals7 = 1
| totalcaps = 510
| totalgoals = 98
| nationalyears1 = 2005–2006
| nationalteam1 = [[Republic of Ireland national under-19 football team|Republic of Ireland U19]]
| nationalcaps1 = 8
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2006
| nationalteam2 = [[Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team|Republic of Ireland U21]]
| nationalcaps2 = 1
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2007–2021
| nationalteam3 = [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]]
| nationalcaps3 = 88
| nationalgoals3 = 17
}}
'''Shane Patrick Long''' (born 22 January 1987) is an Irish former professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[Striker (association football)|striker]].

Long began his football career at [[Cork City F.C.|Cork City]]. He later moved to [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] where, among other achievements, he scored three goals in ten substitute appearances during his team's [[EFL Championship|Championship]]-winning [[2005–06 Football League Championship|2005–06]] campaign, guided his team into the fourth round of the [[FA Cup]] by defeating [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] in a third round replay match in [[2009–10 FA Cup|2010]], and later won a player of the season award. He signed for Premier League side [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] in 2011 for a fee of £6&nbsp;million, and joined [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]] in January 2014, then Southampton in August 2014. On 23 April 2019, he scored the [[Premier League records and statistics#Player records|fastest goal]] in Premier League history.

Long made his senior debut for the [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]] in 2007, earning 88 international caps and scoring 17 goals over a 14-year career with the national team.

==Early life==
Long was born in [[Gortnahoe]], [[County Tipperary]], Ireland.<ref>{{cite news | date=16 April 2006| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2093-2136208_1,00.html | title=Treated like Royalty | work=The Times | access-date=17 May 2006 | first=Patrick | last=Foster}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He was a talented [[Hurling|hurler]] and appeared in two [[All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship]] (under-18) semi-finals with [[Tipperary county hurling team|Tipperary]] at [[Croke Park]],<ref>[http://www.irishpost.co.uk/news/story/?trs=gbididkf The long way from Tipperary] ''Irish Post'' {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118080300/http://www.irishpost.co.uk/news/story/?trs=gbididkf |date=18 November 2015 }}</ref> and was regarded as a pacey and promising forward.<ref>[http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2003/05/15/story510227459.asp "Ruth keeps Tipperary in title race"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030821034135/http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2003/05/15/story510227459.asp |date=21 August 2003 }}, ''Irish Examiner'', 15 May 2003.</ref> Long was also playing [[Gaelic football]] at this time, and started his career in the game with [[Two-Mile Borris]] club St Kevin's FC in 1994, joining [[St. Michael's A.F.C.|St. Michael's]] in [[Tipperary Town]] in 2002.

==Club career==

===Cork City===
Long was discovered and brought to [[Cork City F.C.|Cork City]] with a [[scholarship]] on 1 July 2004 by [[Pat Dolan]]. He was called to the first team squad for the 2005 season when manager Dolan was replaced by [[Damien Richardson (footballer)|Damien Richardson]], and the new manager awarded him his senior [[League of Ireland]] debut on 25 March 2005 as a substitute for [[Joe Gamble]].<ref>[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/2005/0326/Pg029.html#Ar02901:3E665B41466941865B42D66946273446E73E Irish Times] {{subscription required}}</ref> His only other appearance was again as a substitute in the [[Setanta Sports Cup]] on 2 May.<ref name="SSC">[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/2005/0503/Pg019.html#Ar01905:0005F105A60900068404169204168404469204468404A69201974105A74F0C874E10975C18F6131B961D1A66401CE64A1BE64B1E76551EE6BA22F6C819D74F1D27590006351FA63F1FC63520163F Irish Times] {{subscription required}}</ref> However, following Dolan's consultation with his brother, [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] coach [[Eamonn Dolan]], Reading made bids for both Long and [[Kevin Doyle (footballer)|Kevin Doyle]]. Cork were forced to sell Doyle due to a contract clause, but the circumstances surrounding Long's transfer were not disclosed. Long signed as a Reading player on 7 June 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tipperarystar.ie/news/local/shane-long-celebrates-his-21st-birthday-1-2261233 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130412232301/http://www.tipperarystar.ie/news/local/shane-long-celebrates-his-21st-birthday-1-2261233 |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 April 2013 |title=Shane Long Celebrates his 21st Birthday – Tipperary Star |publisher=Tipperarystar.ie |date=14 January 2008 |access-date=17 August 2015 }}</ref>

===Reading===
[[File:Shane Long.png|thumb|left|Long training for Reading in 2008]]
In Reading's [[Football League Championship|Championship]]-winning [[2005–06 in English football|2005–06]] campaign, Long scored three goals in ten substitute appearances,<ref>[http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10306~33469,00.html Profile – Shane Long] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107042126/http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0%2C%2C10306~33469%2C00.html |date= 7 January 2011 }} Reading FC</ref> making his first league start on 17 April 2006 in the 3–1 home victory against [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]. For the first season, he was mostly second choice in the pecking order behind fellow Irishman Kevin Doyle, [[Dave Kitson]] and [[Leroy Lita]]. He started all of the games in Reading's [[FA Cup]] campaign and scored one goal.<ref>{{cite news | title=Reading Club stats | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/reading/club_stats/default.stm | website=BBC Sport | access-date=3 June 2006| date=25 June 2009}}</ref>

On 4 July 2007, Long signed an improved four-year contract to keep him at Reading until the end of the 2010–11 season.<ref>{{cite news|date=4 July 2007 |url=http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~1067116,00.html |title=Four new contracts agreed |publisher=Reading FC |access-date=7 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411130459/http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10306~1067116%2C00.html |archive-date=11 April 2008}}</ref>

On 16 March 2008, in a 2–1 defeat at [[Anfield]] against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], Long was involved in an incident as to where he flung his shirt to the ground, citing frustration at his performance and frustration with the match official [[Andre Marriner]], after being subbed by manager [[Steve Coppell]].<ref>{{cite news | title=Shane Long offers apology for shirt-throwing tantrum | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article3564543.ece | work=The Times | access-date=8 September 2011 | date=8 September 2011}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In the post-match interview, Steve Coppell made a stern point in that "it will not happen again". Long made a full apology on the official club website.<ref>{{cite web |date=16 March 2008 |url=http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~1266249,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080318151635/http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10306~1266249%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 March 2008 |title=Long apologises |publisher=Reading FC |access-date=18 March 2008}}</ref>

His 2008–09 season ended happily after scoring an equaliser in a 1–1 draw at [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]], before ending the season with a brace in a 2–0 victory at [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]].<ref>{{cite news|date=28 December 2008 |title=Match Report |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10306~43633,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231015107/http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10306~43633%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 December 2008 |publisher=Reading FC |access-date=8 September 2011 }}</ref>

In the 2010 FA Cup third round replay match against Liverpool, Long was fouled by [[Yossi Benayoun]] to win a 93rd-minute penalty<ref>{{cite news|date=13 January 2010 |title=Match Report |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/match/fixtures/first-team/liverpool-v-reading-2010-1-13-20-00-00/last-match-report |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116174619/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/match/fixtures/first-team/liverpool-v-reading-2010-1-13-20-00-00/last-match-report |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 January 2010 |publisher=Liverpool FC |access-date=8 September 2011 }}</ref> as Liverpool led 1–0 at Anfield to bring the match into extra time.<ref>{{cite news |date=13 January 2010 |title=Match Report |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/match/fixtures/first-team/liverpool-v-reading-2010-1-13-20-00-00/last-match-report |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116174619/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/match/fixtures/first-team/liverpool-v-reading-2010-1-13-20-00-00/last-match-report |url-status=dead
 |archive-date=16 January 2010 |publisher=Liverpool FC |access-date=8 September 2011}}</ref> Long then scored a glancing header in the 100th minute in front of the Anfield [[Spion Kop (stadia)|Kop]]<ref>{{cite news | date=13 January 2010| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/8451900.stm | title=Liverpool 1–2 Reading | website=BBC Sport | access-date=13 January 2010}}</ref> from a cross supplied by [[Brynjar Gunnarsson]], which sent Reading into the Fourth round of the FA Cup to play at home against [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=285951&cc=5739|title=Long goal stuns Anfield|date=13 January 2010|work=ESPN Soccernet|access-date=30 March 2011|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024135255/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=285951&cc=5739|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=286917&cc=5739|title=Giantkillers Reading strike again|date=23 January 2010|work=ESPN Soccernet|access-date=30 March 2011|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024135300/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=286917&cc=5739|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 29 January 2010, Long scored a crucial goal at home to strugglers [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]] that gifted Reading all three points in a 1–0 win for the Royals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=268433&cc=5739|title=Long on target for Royals|date=30 January 2010|work=ESPN Soccernet|access-date=30 March 2011|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024135306/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=268433&cc=5739|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The following Saturday, his good run of form continued with an opening goal which contributed to a 2–1 win away to [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]] at the [[Keepmoat Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=268440&cc=5739|title=Doncaster downed by Reading|date=26 February 2010|work=ESPN Soccernet|access-date=30 March 2011|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024135311/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=268440&cc=5739|url-status=dead}}</ref> His goalscoring continued, as on 9 February 2010, he scored a brace in a 2–1 win at home to [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]], giving Reading their third consecutive league victory and Long's fourth goal in three games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=268457&cc=5739|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714131947/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=268457&cc=5739|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 July 2012|title=Long makes Pilgrims pay penalty|date=9 February 2010|work=ESPN Soccernet|access-date=30 March 2011}}</ref>

On 13 February 2010, however, in an FA Cup fifth round match at home to [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]], Long was sent off for a careless lunge at West Brom Ivorian defender [[Abdoulaye Méïté]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=287615&cc=5739|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024135330/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=287615&cc=5739|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 October 2012|title=Mattock goal earns replay|date=13 February 2010|work=ESPN Soccernet|access-date=30 March 2011}}</ref> It was his second-straight dismissible offence of the season, the first procured away to [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] in a Championship match in November.<ref>{{cite news|date=28 November 2009 |title=Match Report |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10306~48499,00.html |publisher=Reading FC |access-date=8 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825040814/http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10306~48499%2C00.html |archive-date=25 August 2011}}</ref> On 7 March 2010, in Reading's FA Cup quarter-final against [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]], Long scored a brace in the first half, which saw Reading leading 2–0 at half-time. However, a hat-trick from Norwegian striker [[John Carew]] and a strike from [[Ashley Young]] in the second-half saw Long's brace go to waste as Aston Villa booked themselves a place in the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=289280&cc=5739|title=Villa seal semi-final spot|date=7 March 2010|work=ESPN Soccernet|access-date=30 March 2011|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024135337/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=289280&cc=5739|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 2 May 2010, Long played his 150th game for Reading in the 4–1 Championship win over [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] at the [[Madejski Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news|date=2 May 2010 |title=Match Report |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10306~47499,00.html |publisher=Reading FC |access-date=8 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825040805/http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10306~47499%2C00.html |archive-date=25 August 2011}}</ref>

On 11 September 2010, Long won two penalties and converted the first in Reading's 3–0 win over [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]].<ref>{{cite news|date=11 September 2010 |title=Match Report |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10306~52839,00.html |publisher=Reading FC |access-date=8 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021073854/http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10306~52839%2C00.html |archive-date=21 October 2010}}</ref> On 4 November, Shane Long signed a one-year contract extension, valid until 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2081672_shane_long_signs_new_reading_fc_contract |title=Shane Long signs new Reading FC contract |publisher=Get Reading |date=4 November 2010 |access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> On 18 December, he scored twice against Derby, which led to the best goal-scoring form of his life.<ref>{{cite news|date=18 December 2010 |title=Match Report |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10306~52253,00.html |publisher=Reading FC |access-date=8 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221072049/http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10306~52253%2C00.html |archive-date=21 December 2010}}</ref> He followed up with a brace against [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] on Boxing Day.<ref>{{cite news|date=26 December 2010 |title=Match Report |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10306~51982,00.html |publisher=Reading FC |access-date=8 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110506154406/http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10306~51982%2C00.html |archive-date= 6 May 2011}}</ref> On 3 January 2011, Long scored another brace to give Reading the three points against Burnley in a 2–1 victory.<ref>{{cite news|date=3 January 2011 |title=Match Report |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10306~53235,00.html |publisher=Reading FC |access-date=8 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015091614/http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10306~53235%2C00.html |archive-date=15 October 2011}}</ref> On 8 January 2011, Long then hit the only goal in the FA Cup's third round encounter with West Brom.<ref>{{cite news|date=8 January 2011 |title=Match Report |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10306~54877,00.html |publisher=Reading FC |access-date=8 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111022717/http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10306~54877%2C00.html |archive-date=11 January 2011}}</ref> After an impressive season for Reading, Long won the Player of the Season award, beating [[Jimmy Kébé]] and [[Jem Karacan]].

Long scored two goals for Reading on 17 May 2011 in a 3–0 away win against [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] in the second leg of the Championship Play-off semi-finals; one goal came from the penalty spot and the other a lob after a blocked clearance from Cardiff goalkeeper [[Stephen Bywater]]. Long received the Man of the Match award for his efforts. He finished the season with 28 goals in 58 matches for club and country, the best season in his career to date. After the play-off final defeat against [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]], Reading chairman John Madejski declared Long to be world-class: "What is the value I would place on him? £20m."<ref>{{cite web|title=Reading aware of Long interest|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_6961330,00.html|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=6 June 2011}}</ref>

===West Bromwich Albion===
On 9 August 2011, Long signed for [[Premier League]] side West Bromwich Albion on a three-year deal, with a further year's option.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wba.co.uk/page/News/0,,10366~2415046,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805194224/http://www.wba.co.uk/page/News/0,,10366~2415046,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 August 2012 |title=Albion complete Long capture |publisher=WBA FC |date=9 August 2011 }}</ref> Although the fee was undisclosed, it is believed to be £4.5&nbsp;million, with add-ons that could eventually rise to £6.5&nbsp;million, which would be a record fee for West Bromwich, surpassing the £4.7&nbsp;million paid for Spanish international midfielder [[Borja Valero]] from [[RCD Mallorca|Mallorca]] in 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/west-bromwich-albion-fc/2011/08/09/albion-look-to-seal-shane-long-deal/ |title=Albion look to seal Shane Long deal |work=Express & Star |date=9 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14468822.stm|title=Shane Long joins West Bromwich Albion from Reading|date=9 August 2011|website=BBC Sport|access-date=9 August 2011}}</ref> On 12 August, Long was handed the number 9 shirt, and two days later made his debut in the league opener against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] at [[The Hawthorns]]. He marked his debut by scoring an equalising goal that went past Manchester United goalkeeper [[David de Gea]], albeit in a losing effort, 2–1.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/14435075.stm "West Brom v Man Utd match report"]. ''BBC Sport''. Retrieved 20 August 2011.</ref> Long scored again in the fourth minute of his second match, against [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] on 20 August 2011, in what proved to be yet another 2–1 defeat. Long scored his third goal in the fifth minute against [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] on 1 October, his seventh game of the season. The match ended 2–2 with [[James Morrison (footballer)|James Morrison]] also scoring on the fourth minute.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/14514579.stm "Chelsea v West Brom match report"]. ''BBC Sport''. Retrieved 20 August 2011.</ref>

On 16 October 2011, Long was named man of the match in the [[Black Country derby]] against [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]], despite not scoring. The match ended 2–0 for West Brom, with [[Chris Brunt]] scoring in the eighth minute and [[Peter Odemwingie]] scoring in the 76th minute.<ref>[http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3422898,00.html "West Brom vs Wolves match report"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018132835/http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0%2C19764%2C11065_3422898%2C00.html |date=18 October 2011 }}. Sky Sports. Retrieved 25 October 2011.</ref> Long suffered a chipped bone in his knee after a match against Aston Villa after a robust challenge by [[Alan Hutton]], ruling him out for approximately six weeks. On 19 November, weeks before he was predicted injury-free, he played 90 minutes against [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]], a game which Albion won 2–1, with Long scoring what proved to be the winner with a header against a much more physical opponent in [[David Wheater]]. On 3 December, Long scored a goal off a deflected shot in the last minutes of a match against [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] earning Albion a draw by leveling the game at 1–1. Long once again found the net on 25 March against [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]], with a consolation goal in a 1–3 defeat. On the final day of the season, he scored in a 2–3 defeat against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] to finish his debut season for West Brom with eight Premier League goals.

In the [[2012–13 Premier League|2012–13 season]], he started off the season very brightly after winning two penalties against Liverpool. Although he missed the first penalty, he won the second, which Peter Odemwingie converted. He continued his good form with Premier League goals against [[Everton F.C|Everton]], Aston Villa, [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]], Chelsea and Sunderland, as well as a brace against [[Yeovil Town F.C.|Yeovil Town]] in the second round of the [[2012–13 Football League Cup|Football League Cup]], to put him on seven goals for the season by the end of November. He finished the season with 11 goals in all competitions, supplemented with two goals for [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]].

On the final day of the summer transfer window for the [[2013–14 Premier League|2013–14 season]], a move to [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]] valued at £5&nbsp;million fell through at the last moment, after West Brom manager [[Steve Clarke]] pulled out from the transfer. Clarke stated that Long was needed, as he did not have enough attacking options, despite signing [[Stéphane Sessègnon]] and [[Victor Anichebe]] just minutes earlier both for £6&nbsp;million fees from Sunderland and Everton respectively.<ref>[http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11714/8903865/transfer-deadline-day-hull-re-sign-gedo-on-loan-but-miss-out-on-shane-long "Transfer Deadline Day: Hull re-sign Gedo on loan but miss out on Shane Long"]. Sky Sports. Retrieved 3 September 2013</ref> After limited starts at the beginning of the season, Long started and scored his first of the season against Chelsea away at [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]]. The game finished 2–2.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chelsea 2–2 West Bromwich Albion|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/24783075|date=9 November 2013|website=BBC Sport|access-date=17 January 2013}}</ref> Long continued his good run of form against Aston Villa with two superb goals in the first 11 minutes, later being named Man of the Match.<ref>{{cite news|title=West Bromwich Albion 2–2 Aston Villa|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/24982515|website=BBC Sport|date=25 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Premier League: Aston Villa stage second-half fightback to draw 2–2 at West Brom|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/295738/|date=26 November 2013|publisher=Sky Sports}}</ref>

===Hull City===
[[File:Shane Long vs Cardiff City cropped 2.jpg|thumb|Long playing for Hull City in February 2014]]
On 17 January 2014, Long signed for [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]] for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half-year deal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Long Signs for the Tigers |url=http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/201314-long-signing-1300249.aspx |work=Hull City AFC |date=17 January 2014 |access-date=17 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118165830/http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/201314-long-signing-1300249.aspx |archive-date=18 January 2014}}</ref> Long made his debut on 28 January 2014 away at Crystal Palace in a 1–0 defeat.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25822243 | title = Crystal Palace 1–0 Hull | date = 28 January 2014 |website=BBC Sport | access-date = 28 January 2014}}</ref> In his next match, at home to [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] on 1 February 2014, Long opened the scoring in a 1–1 draw.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25892180 | title = Hull 1 – 1 Tottenham | date = 1 February 2014|website=BBC Sport | access-date = 1 February 2014 }}</ref> On 22 March 2014, he played in his first match against previous club West Brom at the [[KC Stadium]]. Despite a warm reception before the game from the travelling West Brom fans, he won a penalty for Hull after 30 minutes, which has been interpreted as a dive by the West Brom supporters. From then, West Brom fans booed his every touch, and he scored his third Hull goal before half time, cementing a 2–0 win for Hull.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/466301/Hull-2-West-Brom-0-Long-and-short-of-an-official-clanger | title = Hull 2 – West Brom 0: Long and short of an official clanger | date = 23 March 2014 | work = Daily Express | access-date = 23 March 2014 }}</ref> Long missed out on [[2014 FA Cup Final#Hull City|Hull's historic run to the FA Cup Final]] as he was [[cup-tied]], having played in West Brom's third-round tie against Crystal Palace.<ref>{{cite news |first=Philip|last=Buckingham |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/blog/name/93/post/1843205/headline |title=Hull daring to dream in FA Cup |date=15 February 2014 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=5 November 2022}}</ref>

===Southampton===
[[File:Southampton FC versus Sevilla (35583206153).jpg|thumb|Long playing for Southampton in 2017]]
Long played in both legs of Hull's [[UEFA Europa League|Europa League]] qualifying tie against [[FK AS Trenčín|AS Trencín]] before the start of the [[2014–15 Premier League]] season.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/1415-trencin-a-report-1797001.aspx | title = AS Trenčín 0 – 0 Hull | date = 31 July 2014 | work = The Tigers Official Website | publisher = Hull City A.F.C. | access-date = 31 July 2014 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140810154052/http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/1415-trencin-a-report-1797001.aspx | archive-date = 10 August 2014 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/1415-trencin-h-report-1812122.aspx | title = Hull 2 – 1 AS Trenčín | date = 7 August 2014 | work = The Tigers Official Website | publisher = Hull City A.F.C. | access-date = 7 August 2014 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://archive.today/20140812042123/http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/1415-trencin-h-report-1812122.aspx | archive-date = 12 August 2014 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> They were his last official matches for Hull, as on 14 August 2014, Long signed a four-year contract with Southampton for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £12&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|title=ANNOUNCEMENT: Saints land Shane Long|url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/14082014-announcement-shane-long-southampton-1828920.aspx|publisher=Southampton F.C.|access-date=14 August 2014|date=14 August 2014|archive-date=15 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815180040/http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/14082014-announcement-shane-long-southampton-1828920.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28793761 |title=Shane Long: Southampton sign Hull City striker |website=[[BBC Sport]] |date=14 August 2014 |access-date=17 August 2015 }}</ref>

Three days later, he made his first appearance for the club, replacing fellow debutant [[Dušan Tadić]] for the final 16 minutes of a 2–1 defeat at Liverpool in Southampton's opening game of the league season. He almost scored a late equaliser when he nodded a header just wide of the post.<ref>{{cite news|title=Liverpool 2 − 1 Southampton|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28730043|access-date=17 August 2014|website=[[BBC Sport]]|date=17 August 2014}}</ref> Long scored his first Southampton goal against Stoke City in the [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] on 29 October, putting his team 2–0 up in a 3–2 victory.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stoke 2 − 3 Southampton|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29718448|website=BBC Sport|access-date=30 October 2014|date=29 October 2014}}</ref>

He scored his first league goals for the club with a brace in a 2–0 win over [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]], having come on as a substitute for [[Sadio Mané]] with 22 minutes remaining.<ref>{{cite news|last=Woodcock|first=Ian|title=Southampton 2–0 Leicester|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29860234|access-date=8 November 2014|website=BBC Sport|date=8 November 2014}}</ref>

On 16 May 2015, Long assisted teammate Sadio Mané twice inside three minutes as the latter scored the [[Premier League records and statistics#Hat-tricks & multiple goal records|fastest ever hat-trick]] in Premier League history during the first half of a 6–1 demolition of Aston Villa. Later on in the first half, Long himself scored twice to give the Saints a 5–0 lead five minutes from half-time. The second of these efforts was a 35-yard lob which was named as Southampton's Goal of the Season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/20150521-shane-long-post-player-awards-night-2465036.aspx |title=SOUTHAMPTON FC &#124; Shane Long says he didn't expect to win the Vision Accendo Goal of the Season |publisher=Southampton F.C. |date=21 May 2015 |access-date=17 August 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924114657/http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/20150521-shane-long-post-player-awards-night-2465036.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In his first appearance the following [[2015–16 Southampton F.C. season|season]], Long scored Southampton's final goal in a 3–0 victory over Dutch opponents [[Vitesse Arnhem]] at [[St Mary's Stadium]] in the first leg of the Europa League [[2015–16 UEFA Europa League qualifying phase and play-off round|third qualifying round]]. He scored his first Premier League goal of the season on the opening weekend, coming off the bench against Newcastle to head the score level, bringing the game to 2–2.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/33750572|title=Newcastle United 2–2 Southampton|website=BBC Sport|date=9 August 2015|access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref> On 26 December 2015, Long scored two goals against Arsenal in a game that ended 4–0 to Southampton.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35140036|title=Southampton 4–0 Arsenal|website=BBC Sport|date=26 December 2016|access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref> He scored his 100th career goal in English football in the 4–2 home win over Manchester City on 1 May 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36122770|title=Southampton 4–2 Manchester City|website=BBC Sport|date=1 May 2016|access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref>

On 21 July 2016, Long signed a new contract with Southampton, extending his stay with the club until 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Long signs new four-year Saints contract|url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/20160721-shane-long-new-southampton-contract-announcement-3199534.aspx|publisher=Southampton FC|access-date=22 July 2016|date=21 July 2016}}</ref> He ended a barren run of 23 games without a goal for Southampton on 31 December 2016, when he headed in against [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] at St. Mary's to give the home side a 1–0 lead. The match finished 2–1 to the visitors.<ref name="31dec">{{cite news|first=Luke|last=Reddy |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38424666 |title=Southampton 1–2 West Bromwich Albion |website=BBC Sport |date=31 December 2016 |access-date=31 December 2016 }}</ref>

On 5 April 2019, he became only the fourth Irish player to score 50 Premier League goals, after [[Robbie Keane]], [[Niall Quinn]] and [[Damien Duff]] when he scored in a 3–1 defeat to Liverpool.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/shane-long-liverpool-goal-4579588-Apr2019/|title=Shane Long becomes fourth Irish player to score 50 Premier League goals|publisher=The42|date=5 April 2019|access-date=6 April 2019}}</ref>

On 23 April 2019, Long scored the [[Premier League records and statistics#Goals 2|fastest goal]] in Premier League history against [[Watford F.C.|Watford]], clocking in at 7.69 seconds after kick off. The record was previously held by [[Ledley King]] when he scored after 10 seconds for [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] against [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]] in December 2000.<ref>{{cite news|title=Shane Long: Southampton striker scores quickest goal in Premier League history |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48031952 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=23 April 2019 |date=23 April 2019}}</ref>

On 4 June 2020, it was announced that Long had signed a two-year contract extension with Southampton, which would extend his stay at the club until the 2021–22 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Long completes two-year extension |url=https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2020-06-04/announcement-shane-long-two-year-contract-extension-southampton |website=Southampton F.C. |access-date=12 June 2020 |date=4 June 2020}}</ref>

On 1 July 2022, Long's contract expired and Southampton announced that he would be leaving the club.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shane Long departs Saints after eight years with club |url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/shane-long-departs-saints-eight-130000291.html |access-date=1 July 2022 |website=Yahoo Sports}}</ref>

====AFC Bournemouth (loan)====
On 2 February 2021, Long joined [[EFL Championship|Championship]] club [[AFC Bournemouth]] on loan for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Long joins the Cherries on loan |url=https://www.afcb.co.uk/news/club-news/long-joins-the-cherries-on-loan/ |website=A.F.C. Bournemouth |access-date=2 February 2021 |date=2 February 2021}}</ref> Five days later, he made his debut for the Cherries, being included in the starting lineup for a 3–2 home league win over [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55866858 |title=Bournemouth 3–2 Birmingham City: Late Philip Billing goal ends Cherries losing streak |website=[[BBC Sport]] |date=6 February 2021 |access-date=15 February 2021}}</ref> He scored his first goal for Bournemouth in a 2–1 defeat at [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] on 20 February 2021.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56050648 |title=QPR 2–1 Bournemouth|date=20 February 2021| website=BBC Sport|access-date=21 February 2021 }}</ref>

===Return to Reading===
On 13 July 2022, Long returned to [[Reading F.C.|Reading]], signing a one-year contract.<ref>{{cite web |title=IT'S BEEN FAR TOO LONG… BUT HE'S COMING HOME! |url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2022/july/13/it-has-been-far-too-long-but-he-s-coming-home-/ |website=readingfc.co.uk |publisher=Reading F.C. |access-date=13 July 2022 |date=13 July 2022}}</ref> He retired from playing at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport/24590803.reading-fc-legend-pain-playing-retirement/#:~:text=Reading%20legend%20Shane%20Long%20has,not%20miss%20football%20since%20finishing.| title=Reading FC legend on 'pain' during playing and retirement| publisher=The Reading Chronicle| date=17 September 2024| access-date=2 April 2025}}</ref>

==International career==
[[File:FIFA WC-qualification 2014 - Austria vs Ireland 2013-09-10 - Shane Long 19 (cropped).JPG|250px|thumb|Long in action for the Republic of Ireland against Austria, September 2013]]
Long's form for Reading in the 2005–06 season earned him four Republic of Ireland U19 [[Cap (sport)|cap]]s.<ref>{{cite web | title=Republic of Ireland: Under 19 – Squad Profile | url=http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=62&Itemid=75 | publisher=Football Association of Ireland | access-date=3 June 2006}}</ref> Due to injuries to his Reading teammate [[Kevin Doyle (footballer)|Kevin Doyle]] and Sunderland's [[Stephen Elliott (footballer)|Stephen Elliott]],<ref>{{cite news | date=6 February 2007 | title=Long ready to make Republic debut | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6332277.stm | website=BBC Sport | access-date=7 February 2007}}</ref> he earned his first senior cap for the [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]] in their 2–1 win away to [[San Marino national football team|San Marino]] on 7 February 2007.<ref>{{cite news | date=7 February 2007| title=San Marino 1–2 Rep of Ireland | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6340553.stm | website=BBC Sport | access-date=7 February 2007}}</ref>

When Long earned his second cap as a substitute against [[Slovakia national football team|Slovakia]] on 28 March 2007 he became the first person to play both [[hurling]] and international football at [[Croke Park]], having been part of the [[Tipperary GAA|Tipperary]] team for the [[All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship|All-Ireland Minor]] semi-finals in 2003 and 2004.<ref>{{cite news|date=22 March 2007 |title=Royals trio line up for historic match |url=http://icberkshire.icnetwork.co.uk/0275readingfc/0100news/tm_headline=royals-trio-line-up-for-historic-match&method=full&objectid=18791576&siteid=50102-name_page.html |publisher=Berkshire Regional Newspapers |access-date=10 April 2007 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | date=22 March 2007| title=Republic of Ireland 1–0 Slovakia | url=http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1886 | publisher=Football Association of Ireland | access-date=10 April 2007}}</ref> Long scored his first international goal in a friendly 1–1 draw against [[Bolivia national football team|Bolivia]] on 26 May 2007,<ref>{{cite news | date=26 May 2007 | title=Bolivia 1–1 Rep of Ireland | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/6690809.stm | website=BBC Sport | access-date=26 June 2007}}</ref> and followed this with a brace in Ireland's 4–0 win over [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]] on 22 August 2007. He was nominated as the Football Association of Ireland Young Player of the Year for 2007.<ref>{{cite news | date=20 December 2007
| url=http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2738 | title=FAI and eircom announce nominations for eircom International Awards | publisher=Football Association of Ireland | access-date=20 December 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=20 December 2007 |url=http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~1195721,00.html |title=Duo up for player of the year |publisher=Reading FC |access-date=20 December 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221162743/http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10306~1195721%2C00.html |archive-date=21 December 2007 }}</ref>

In March 2011, Long was brought on early to replace the injured Kevin Doyle in a [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group B|UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier]] against [[Macedonia national football team|Macedonia]] in [[Aviva Stadium|Dublin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/0326/repofireland_macedonia.html |title=As it Happened: Ireland 2–1 FYR Macedonia |date=26 March 2010 |work=RTÉ Sport |access-date=30 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110420135731/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/0326/repofireland_macedonia.html |archive-date=20 April 2011 }}</ref> His performance was rewarded with a start in Ireland's next game against [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]] in which Long scored the first of Ireland's goals with a header in a 2–3 loss.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2011/0329/1224293332860.html|title=No disgrace in defeat for second string|date=29 March 2010|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=30 March 2011|archive-date=23 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023143541/http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2011/0329/1224293332860.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 26 May 2012, Long scored when he headed the winner in a 1–0 win over [[Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team|Bosnia and Herzegovina]]. He played in [[UEFA Euro 2012]], coming off the bench against [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]] and [[Italy national football team|Italy]].

On 29 May 2013, Long scored his ninth goal for Ireland, a header against [[England national football team|England]] at [[Wembley Stadium]], a match which finished 1–1. He then captained Ireland for the first time on 2 June 2013 against [[Georgia national football team|Georgia]], a match which Ireland won 4–0.<ref>{{cite news|first=Dion|last=Fanning|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/wembley-hero-long-to-captain-ireland-29314061.html|title=Wembley hero Long to captain Ireland|newspaper=Sunday Independent|date=2 June 2013|access-date=2 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Glenn|last=Mason|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/international/2013/0602/454228-ireland-dismiss-10-man-georgia-challenge/|title=Republic of Ireland 4–0 Georgia|work=RTÉ Sport|date=2 June 2013|access-date=2 June 2013}}</ref> On 5 March 2014, Long scored his 11th goal for his country in a 2–1 loss to [[Serbia national football team|Serbia]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-ie/match/republic-of-ireland-vs-serbia/1598481/report|publisher=Goal.com|date=5 March 2014|title=Republic of Ireland 1–2 Serbia}}</ref>
On 29 March 2015, Long came off the bench to score a last-minute equaliser against [[Poland national football team|Poland]] in [[UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying|2016 Euro qualifier]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/european-championships/republic-of-ireland-player-ratings-wes-hoolahan-a-deserved-man-of-the-match-31103689.html|title=Republic of Ireland player ratings: Wes Hoolahan a deserved man of the match|publisher=Irish Independent|date=29 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/mar/29/republic-of-ireland-poland-euro-2016-qualifier|title=Shane Long's late leveller keeps Euro 2016 hopes alive for Ireland|work=The Guardian|date=29 March 2015}}</ref> On 8 October 2015, Long again came off the bench to score the winning goal against reigning world champions [[Germany national football team|Germany]] in another [[UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying|2016 Euro qualifier]] in the [[Aviva Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/european-championships/shane-longs-beauty-downs-world-champions-germany-and-guarantees-playoff-spot-31595156.html|title=Shane Long's beauty downs World Champions Germany and guarantees play-off spot|date=8 October 2015|work=Irish Independent|access-date=9 October 2015}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Long Played Minor hurling for [[Tipperary GAA|Tipperary]] and made in the back to back All Ireland Semi-Finals in 2002 and 2003. 
He played club hurling for Gortnahoe in his youth and in 2024 returned to Play junior hurling with them.

In June 2013, Long married his partner Kayleah Adams in [[Enniskerry]] in [[County Wicklow]]. They have three children.<ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/shane-long-gets-married-sweetheart-1954556|title= Shane Long ties the knot with beautiful bride Kayleah Adams|date=13 June 2013|work=Irish Mirror|access-date=9 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.independent.ie/sport/leftfield/baby-joy-as-shane-longs-wife-kayleah-gives-birth-to-the-couples-first-son-35218308.html|title= Baby joy as Shane Long's wife Kayleah gives birth to the couple's first son|date=15 November 2016|work=Irish Independent|access-date=3 December 2016}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|[[FA Cup]]
!colspan="2"|[[EFL Cup|League Cup]]
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|[[Cork City F.C.|Cork City]]
|[[2005 League of Ireland Premier Division|2005]]<ref name="SSC"/><ref name="Shane Long – Hull City – Premier League">{{cite news
| title = Shane Long – Hull City – Premier League
| url = http://soccerstats.independent.ie/?pStr=Player&plid=192115&FromStr=TRUE&TeID=483&Cust=6621&Lang=0
| newspaper = Irish Independent
| location = Dublin
| access-date = 21 September 2014
| archive-date = 11 April 2016
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160411124738/http://soccerstats.independent.ie/?pStr=Player&plid=192115&FromStr=TRUE&TeID=483&Cust=6621&Lang=0
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>
|[[League of Ireland Premier Division]]
|1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||1<ref group=lower-alpha>Appearance in [[Setanta Cup]]</ref>||0||2||0
|-
|rowspan="8"|[[Reading F.C.|Reading]]
|[[2005–06 Reading F.C. season|2005–06]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|41355|2005|name=Shane Long|access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref>
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|11||3||4||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||15||4
|-
|[[2006–07 Reading F.C. season|2006–07]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|41355|2006|name=Shane Long|access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref>
|[[Premier League]]
|21||2||1||1||2||1||colspan="2"|—||24||4
|-
|[[2007–08 Reading F.C. season|2007–08]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|41355|2007|name=Shane Long|access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|29||3||2||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||32||3
|-
|[[2008–09 Reading F.C. season|2008–09]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|41355|2008|name=Shane Long|access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref>
|Championship
|37||9||1||0||3||0||2<ref group=lower-alpha name=CPO>Appearance(s) in [[EFL Championship play-offs|Championship play-offs]]</ref>||0||43||9
|-
|[[2009–10 Reading F.C. season|2009–10]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|41355|2009|name=Shane Long|access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref>
|Championship
|31||6||5||3||0||0||colspan="2"|—||36||9
|-
|[[2010–11 Reading F.C. season|2010–11]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|41355|2010|name=Shane Long|access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref>
|Championship
|44||21||4||2||1||0||3<ref group=lower-alpha name=CPO/>||2||52||25
|-
|[[2011–12 Reading F.C. season|2011–12]]<ref name="SB2012">{{Soccerbase season|41355|2011|name=Shane Long|access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref>
|Championship
|1||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||1||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!174||44||17||7||7||1||5||2||203||54
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]]
|[[2011–12 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season|2011–12]]<ref name="SB2012"/>
|Premier League
|32||8||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||33||8
|-
|[[2012–13 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season|2012–13]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|41355|2012|name=Shane Long|access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|34||8||1||1||2||2||colspan="2"|—||37||11
|-
|[[2013–14 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season|2013–14]]<ref name="SB2014">{{Soccerbase season|41355|2013|name=Shane Long|access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|15||3||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||17||3
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!81||19||3||1||3||2||colspan="2"|—||87||22
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]]
|[[2013–14 Hull City A.F.C. season|2013–14]]<ref name="SB2014"/>
|Premier League
|15||4||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||15||4
|-
|[[2014–15 Hull City A.F.C. season|2014–15]]<ref name="SB2015">{{Soccerbase season|41355|2014|name=Shane Long|access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|0||0||0||0||0||0||2<ref group=lower-alpha name=UEL>Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League]]</ref>||0||2||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!15||4||0||0||0||0||2||0||17||4
|-
|rowspan=9|[[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]
|[[2014–15 Southampton F.C. season|2014–15]]<ref name="SB2015"/>
|Premier League
|32||5||3||1||4||1||colspan= 2|—||39||7
|-
|[[2015–16 Southampton F.C. season|2015–16]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|41355|2015|access-date=1 January 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|28||10||1||0||2||2||3<ref group=lower-alpha name=UEL/>||1||34||13
|-
|[[2016–17 Southampton F.C. season|2016–17]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|41355|2016|access-date=27 November 2017}}</ref>
|Premier League
|32||3||3||1||5||1||5<ref group=lower-alpha name=UEL/>||0||45||5
|-
|[[2017–18 Southampton F.C. season|2017–18]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|41355|2017|access-date=14 May 2018}}</ref>
|Premier League
|30||2||4||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||35||2
|-
|[[2018–19 Southampton F.C. season|2018–19]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|41355|2018|access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref>
|Premier League
|26||5||2||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||28||5
|-
|[[2019–20 Southampton F.C. season|2019–20]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|41355|2019|access-date=10 July 2020}}</ref>
|Premier League
|26||2||2||1||3||0||colspan=2|—||31||3
|-
|[[2020–21 Southampton F.C. season|2020–21]]<ref name = SB21>{{soccerbase season|41355|2020|access-date= 20 October 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League
|11||0||2||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||14||0
|-
|[[2021–22 Southampton F.C. season|2021–22]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|41355|2021|access-date=9 January 2022}}</ref>
|Premier League
|13||1||4||1||2||0||colspan=2|—||19||2
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!198||28||21||4||20||4||8||1||245||37
|-
|[[AFC Bournemouth]] (loan)
|[[2020–21 AFC Bournemouth season|2020–21]]<ref name = SB21 />
|Championship
|11||2||0||0||0||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha name=CPO/>||0||12||2
|-
|Reading
|[[2022–23 Reading F.C. season|2022–23]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|41355|2022|access-date=23 April 2023}}</ref>
|Championship
|30||1||2||1||0||0||colspan=2|—||32||2
|-
!colspan=3|Career total
!510||98||43||13||28||7||17||3||598||121
|}

{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{NFT player|20663|name=Shane Long|access-date=17 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/shane-long/2586/matches/ |title=Republic of Ireland – Matches of S. Long |work=Soccerway |access-date=29 September 2014 }}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="14"|[[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]]
|2007||7||3
|-
|2008||2||0
|-
|2009||2||0
|-
|2010||5||2
|-
|2011||7||1
|-
|2012||9||2
|-
|2013||10||2
|-
|2014||9||1
|-
|2015||8||3
|-
|2016||12||3
|-
|2017||8||0
|-
|2018||3||0
|-
|2020||3||0
|-
|2021||3||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!88!!17
|}

:''Scores and results list Republic of Ireland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Long goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Shane Long
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| align="center"|1 || 26 May 2007 || [[Gillette Stadium]], Foxborough, United States || {{fb|BOL}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|1–1 || [[Friendly (association football)|Friendly]]
|-
| align="center"|2 || rowspan="2"|22 August 2007 || rowspan="2"|[[Atletion|NRGi Park]], Aarhus, Denmark || rowspan="2"|{{fb|DEN}} || align="center"|3–0 || rowspan="2" align="center"| 4–0 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
|-
| align="center"|3 || align="center"|4–0
|-
| align="center"|4 || 8 October 2010 || [[Aviva Stadium]], Dublin, Ireland || {{fb|RUS}} || align="center"|2–3|| align="center"|2–3 || [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|5 || 17 November 2010 || Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland || {{fb|NOR}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–2 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|6 || 29 March 2011 || Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland || {{fb|URU}} || align="center"|1–1|| align="center"|2–3 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|7 || 26 May 2012 || Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland || {{fb|BIH}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|8 || 11 September 2012 || [[Craven Cottage]], London, England || {{fb|OMA}} || align="center"|3–0 || align="center"|4–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|9 || 29 May 2013 || [[Wembley Stadium]], London, England || {{fb|ENG}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|10 || 15 November 2013 || Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland || {{fb|LAT}} || align="center"|3–0 || align="center"|3–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|11 || 5 March 2014 || Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland || {{fb|SER}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–2 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|12 || 29 March 2015 || Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland || {{fb|POL}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|1–1 || [[UEFA Euro 2016 qualification]]
|-
| align="center"|13 || 4 September 2015 || [[Estádio Algarve]], Faro, Portugal || {{fb|GIB}} || align="center"|4–0 || align="center"|4–0 || UEFA Euro 2016 qualification
|-
| align="center"|14 || 8 October 2015 || Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland || {{fb|GER}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || UEFA Euro 2016 qualification
|-
| align="center"|15 || 29 March 2016 || Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland || {{fb|SVK}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|2–2 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|16 || 27 May 2016 || Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland || {{fb|NED}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|17 || 9 October 2016 || [[Zimbru Stadium]], Chișinău, Moldova || {{fb|Moldova}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–1 || [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|}

==Honours==
'''Reading'''
*[[Football League Championship]]: [[2005–06 Football League Championship|2005–06]]<ref name="Soccerway trophies">{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/shane-long/2586/ |title=Republic of Ireland – S. Long – Trophies |work=Soccerway |access-date=30 September 2014 }}</ref>

'''Southampton'''
*[[EFL Cup]] runner-up: [[2016–17 EFL Cup|2016–17]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39018813 |title=Manchester United 3–2 Southampton |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=26 February 2017 |access-date=26 April 2019}}</ref>

'''Republic of Ireland'''
*[[Nations Cup (football)|Nations Cup]]: [[2011 Nations Cup|2011]]<ref name="Soccerway trophies" />

'''Individual'''
*[[Reading F.C.#Player of the season|Reading Player of the Season]]: [[2010–11 Reading F.C. season|2010–11]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~2354869,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513143844/http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10306~2354869%2C00.html |archive-date=13 May 2011 |title=Long voted Player of the Season |work=Reading FC |date=9 May 2011 |access-date=30 September 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[FAI International Football Awards#Young International Player of the Year|FAI Young International Player of the Year]]: 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.setanta.com/hongkong/articles/2011/2/07/awards-double-for-doyle/gnid-87780/ |title=Awards double for Doyle |work=Setanta Sports |date=7 February 2011 |access-date=30 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114180539/http://www.setanta.com/hongkong/articles/2011/2/07/awards-double-for-doyle/gnid-87780/ |archive-date=14 January 2016 }}</ref>
*[[FAI International Football Awards#International goal of the year|FAI International Goal of the Year]]: 2013 <small>vs. [[England national football team|England]]</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thescore.ie/fai-awards-keane-1341343-Mar2014/ |title=Keane and McCarthy scoop FAI Player of the Year awards |work=The Score |date=2 March 2014 |access-date=30 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306223047/http://www.thescore.ie/fai-awards-keane-1341343-Mar2014/ |archive-date= 6 March 2014 }}</ref>
*[[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] Goal of the Season: [[2014–15 Southampton F.C. season|2014–15]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://southamptonfc.com/news/2015-05-21/long-surprised-to-win-goal-of-the-season|title=Long surprised to win Goal of the Season|website=Southampton FC}}</ref>

'''Tipperary GAA'''
*[[Munster Minor Hurling Championship]]: 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fai.ie/ireland/player/99315 |title=Shane Long |work=FA Ireland |access-date=30 September 2014 }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{Soccerbase}}
*[http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/team/player-profile/shane-long/7 Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524002026/http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/team/player-profile/shane-long/7 |date=24 May 2016 }} at the Southampton F.C. website
*[http://www.soccerscene.ie/ss_gen/player.php?id=15&level=ss19 Ireland profile] at Soccerscene

{{Navboxes
| title = Republic of Ireland squads
| bg = #00994A
| fg = white
| bordercolor = darkorange
| list1 = 
{{Republic of Ireland squad UEFA Euro 2012}}
{{Republic of Ireland squad UEFA Euro 2016}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| titlestyle = background: gold
| list1 = 
{{FAI International Goal of the Year}}
{{FAI Young International Player of the Year}}
{{Reading F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{Southampton F.C. Player of the Season}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Long, Shane}}
[[Category:1987 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Association footballers from County Tipperary]]
[[Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Cork City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Reading F.C. players]]
[[Category:Hull City A.F.C. players]]
[[Category:West Bromwich Albion F.C. players]]
[[Category:Southampton F.C. players]]
[[Category:AFC Bournemouth players]]
[[Category:League of Ireland players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Republic of Ireland men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Republic of Ireland men's B international footballers]]
[[Category:Republic of Ireland men's international footballers]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2012 players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2016 players]]
[[Category:Gaelic games players from County Tipperary]]
[[Category:Gortnahoe-Glengoole hurlers]]
[[Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen]]