Latest news with #ShaneLong
The Irish Sun
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
RTE star, Virgin Media beauty & ex-Irish footie ace enjoy scorcher at Punchestown Festival for ‘showstopper' Gold Cup
PUNCHESTOWN punters basked in glorious weather as a number of star names visited the festival today. Well-known sporting greats and personalities gathered for the Ladbrokes Gold Cup, one of the highlights of the week. 7 Racegoers pose on day two of the Punchestown Festival Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription 7 Irish footballer legend Shane Long made sure not to miss the Gold Cup Credit: Brian McEvoy 7 Elaine Crowley stunned as she attended the races Credit: Brian McEvoy Ireland football legend Shane Long enjoyed a day sampling the action where he was seen posing for snaps with fans. Other celebs at the track included Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: 'The Punchestown Racing Festival is always a must-attend event in the Irish racing calendar, with fantastic energy all-round. "The Ladbrokes Gold Cup is no doubt the showstopper to top off an exhilarating day at the racecourse.' READ MORE ON PUNCHESTOWN And in the big race of the day, jockey Paul Townend helped Galopin Des Champs past the post first in a dominant Gold Cup display. Denied a hat-trick of Gold Cup's at Cheltenham last month, the Willie Mullins-trained horse galloped home with a 22-lengths victory. Galopin Des Champs prevented an unwanted hat-trick in the race, having been second to Fastorslow for the past two years. The nine-year-old horse, which was the 5-6 favourite left no doubt about it's star quality as it received rapturous applause from punters watching the big race. Most read in The Irish Sun 'We are very, very fortunate to have him,' said the winning jockey. 'Obviously we were very disappointed coming away from Cheltenham. Speaking after the big win, Townend said: 'We are very, very fortunate to have him. "Obviously we were very disappointed coming away from Cheltenham. Kathryn Thomas enjoys day out at Punchestown Festival 'The reception he gets his special and we are just lucky to be a part of it. He's a unique horse.' Galopin Des Champs gave his rider a scare by producing a scruffy jump at the last, but it didn't impact the end result. Townend continued: 'It wouldn't be like him at all but the fact he done it meant he was doing things easy enough. 'In fairness he gave me plenty of warning. After that he got in a good rhythm and enjoyed it. 'He was taking me today whereas I was trying to hang in there in Cheltenham. He wasn't right in Cheltenham and thankfully it didn't leave a huge mark on him which it could have with the effort he put in. 'ALL CLASS' 'He got me out of trouble at the last, there's no lying about it. He's all class." The Punchestown Festival has long been billed as the grand finale of the National Hunt season. And the famous five-day spectacle in Kildare attracts Ireland's best jumps horses, jockeys, and trainers. On Thursday, it'll run from 4pm to 7pm on Friday with RTE One then showcasing the final day from 3pm until 5:45pm. So anyone looking for a way to stream it can do so freely via the RTE Player. 7 Marty Morrissy and Avril Kelly Carter were among the stars to attend Credit: Brian McEvoy 7 Raymond and Gillian Gilmourne looking glam at the festival Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved 7 Ellie McNamee, Samantha Tansey, Ellie Doherty, Nicola Kirwan and Sophie Kirwan react to the 'showstopping' racing Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription 7 The Punchestown Festival has long been billed as the grand finale of the National Hunt season Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription
Scotsman
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
'I almost signed for Celtic and was an ex-teammate of Adam Idah - this is what his biggest problem is''
Adam Idah's ex-Republic Of Ireland teammate reveals how close he came to signing for Celtic. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Adam Idah has a 'big problem' to overcome if he is to become Celtic's talisman, but has been told to 'keep believing' by an ex-EPL striker and one of his former international teammates. Celtic's Adam Idah celebrates a goal against Young Boys earlier in the season. Cr: PA. | PA The 24-year-old completed a reported £9.5million move from Norwich City in the summer, following an extremely impressive stint on loan at Celtic Park in the second-half of last season, where he scored eight league goals in 15 appearances. He has struggled for regular game time since joining the club permanently though, starting just 16 of the club's 32 Scottish Premiership games. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He was restored to the Hoops starting XI in the 5-0 win over St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park at the weekend, and played his part the team's second goal before notching the third goal himself as Celtic took control of the game before the half-time break. Shane Long was capped 88-times by the Republic of Ireland and played for them at the Euros in 2016. Cr: Getty Images. | Getty Images However, the Republic of Ireland international will be desperate to play a more prominent role in the weeks to come as the club chase a sixth domestic treble in nine years - and his former international teammate Shane Long has urged him to remain patient. 'He's still quite young,' said Long. 'I've played with him and know his ability. He's strong, he's a link-up player and he's a good finisher so it will happen for him. He just needs to keep believing. I think when he does start games, he doesn't light it up as much as he probably should to really cause the manager a few issues, headaches about picking the starting team. 'It's when he comes in off the bench that he's really effective so it's a nice weapon for the manager to have. I had it for a while in my career as a super sub. You're kind of in a catch-22 where you want to come on off the bench and do well, but you don't want to do that thing of always coming off the bench to do well. Idah has done okay at Celtic, he's got 23 goals in 65 appearances. I think the biggest problem for him is Daizen Maeda. He's flying at the moment and it's strong competition.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In a new interview, Long opened up on his own regret at not playing for Celtic during his career, revealing he almost twice signed for the club while playing in the English top flight. The ex-Reading and Southampton striker scored 56 English Premier League goals during his career, but admits he was tempted by Celtic more than once. 'The first time I was at Reading I ended up leaving to play for West Brom under Roy Hodgson, but Celtic were in for me too,' said Long. 'I was very close to going to Celtic, there was also a transfer window when I was at Southampton when I wasn't really playing in which I felt I needed to leave to play football, Celtic were in for me then too.
Scotsman
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
'I scored 56 EPL goals and almost signed for Celtic, and this is what I think Adam Idah's biggest problem is'
Adam Idah's ex-Republic Of Ireland teammate reveals how close he came to signing for Celtic. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Adam Idah has a 'big problem' to overcome if he is to become Celtic's talisman, but has been told to 'keep believing' by an ex-EPL striker and one of his former international teammates. Celtic's Adam Idah celebrates a goal against Young Boys earlier in the season. Cr: PA. | PA The 24-year-old completed a reported £9.5million move from Norwich City in the summer, following an extremely impressive stint on loan at Celtic Park in the second-half of last season, where he scored eight league goals in 15 appearances. He has struggled for regular game time since joining the club permanently though, starting just 16 of the club's 32 Scottish Premiership games. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He was restored to the Hoops starting XI in the 5-0 win over St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park at the weekend, and played his part the team's second goal before notching the third goal himself as Celtic took control of the game before the half-time break. Shane Long was capped 88-times by the Republic of Ireland and played for them at the Euros in 2016. Cr: Getty Images. | Getty Images However, the Republic of Ireland international will be desperate to play a more prominent role in the weeks to come as the club chase a sixth domestic treble in nine years - and his former international teammate Shane Long has urged him to remain patient. 'He's still quite young,' said Long. 'I've played with him and know his ability. He's strong, he's a link-up player and he's a good finisher so it will happen for him. He just needs to keep believing. I think when he does start games, he doesn't light it up as much as he probably should to really cause the manager a few issues, headaches about picking the starting team. 'It's when he comes in off the bench that he's really effective so it's a nice weapon for the manager to have. I had it for a while in my career as a super sub. You're kind of in a catch-22 where you want to come on off the bench and do well, but you don't want to do that thing of always coming off the bench to do well. Idah has done okay at Celtic, he's got 23 goals in 65 appearances. I think the biggest problem for him is Daizen Maeda. He's flying at the moment and it's strong competition.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In a new interview, Long himself opened up on his regret at not playing for Celtic during his career, revealing he almost twice signed for the club while playing in the English top flight. The ex-Reading and Southampton striker scored 56 English Premier League goals during his career, but admits he was tempted by Celtic more than once. 'The first time I was at Reading I ended up leaving to play for West Brom under Roy Hodgson, but Celtic were in for me too,' said Long. 'I was very close to going to Celtic, there was also a transfer window when I was at Southampton when I wasn't really playing in which I felt I needed to leave to play football, Celtic were in for me then too.
Daily Record
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
I was linked with Celtic transfer TWICE but here is why the move 'sadly' never happened
Shane Long was linked with a move to Parkhead on two different occasions but it never ever materialised Shane Long has revealed why a move to Celtic never ever happened. The Hoops were linked with the Republic of Ireland international on two separate occasions - but both times a move never materialised. The former Reading, Southampton and West Brom striker on both occasions ended up not taking the leap north of the border with the first one due to joining the Baggies under Roy Hodgson. A second occasion was 'very close' admitted Long due to him being out of favour at Southampton. He felt he had to leave the club for minutes and the Hoops were keen on his services, but an injury at his club meant he got back in the team and again any chance of turning out in green and white ended once more. Long told BoyleSports who offer the latest Irish Premier Division Odds & Betting: "The first time I was at Reading I ended up leaving to play for West Brom under Roy Hodgson, but Celtic were in for me too. "I was very close to going to Celtic, there was also a transfer window when I was at Southampton when I wasn't really playing in which I felt I needed to leave to play football, Celtic were in for me then too. "It was very close to happening but there was an injury and I broke back into the team. "The move didn't happen in the end and a good friend of mine is now one of the owners and he always asks me why it didn't happen. "Obviously being Irish and having that opportunity was really appealing to me but sadly it never happened." You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Scottish Sun
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
I won 88 Ireland caps and Celtic came in for me twice – I'm pals with one of the owners, he's bemused it didn't happen
He had a long career in a top league but revealed he regretted never moving to Parkhead LONG SHOT I won 88 Ireland caps and Celtic came in for me twice – I'm pals with one of the owners, he's bemused it didn't happen CELTIC have a long history of great Irish players wearing the Hoops, as their links remain strong to the club's origins. But a former Ireland international has opened up on his regret at twice missing out on a move to Celtic. Advertisement 3 A former Ireland international with 88 caps has revealed he nearly moved to Celtic Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription 3 The ex-striker spent most of his career in the English Premier League Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription 3 Shane Long played for five clubs down south but twice missed out on the chance to sign for Celtic Credit: Getty Shane Long had a long career down south in England, mostly spent in the Premier League. The ex-striker spent the first five years of his career in the top two tiers with Reading, before a four-season stint in the Premier League with West Brom and Hull. He then stayed in the top flight with Southampton for seven campaigns, with a loan to Bournemouth in the Championship in between, before returning to Reading for the final season of his career. But he has revealed he came close to joining Celts on a couple of occasions, and would have been open to a stint in the Scottish Premiership. Advertisement Long told BoyleSports, who offer the latest Irish Premier Division Odds & Betting, about the moves which never came about. He said: "The first time I was at Reading I ended up leaving to play for West Brom under Roy Hodgson, but Celtic were in for me too. "I was very close to going to Celtic. "There was also a transfer window when I was at Southampton when I wasn't really playing. Advertisement "I felt I needed to leave to play football, and Celtic were in for me then too. "It was very close to happening but there was an injury and I broke back into the team. Gordon Strachan on burying the hatchet with McGeady and THAT Boruc 'Pope' t-shirt "The move didn't happen in the end and a good friend of mine is now one of the owners and he always asks me why it didn't happen. "Obviously being Irish and having that opportunity was really appealing to me but sadly it never happened." Advertisement Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
