This (IRISH) man MUST play in Premier League:

Yet another goal for Tipp's top

Tipperary native (and former inter-county Under 21 hurler): SHANE LONG (pictured left) today scored his eighth goal in seven nPower Championship games as his (opening) goal took Reading within two points of the Championship play-offs. 

It was Long's 14th League goal of the season and he was composure personified when put through one-on-one with Doncaster's experienced 'keeper Neil Sullivan. Long's cute finish oozed class as he gave the southerners the crucial breakthrough late in the first half and the points were secured when the visitors went 0-2 ahead shortly afterwards.

Long: 5 goals in 16 caps

Some Premier League clubs have been sniffing around the Madjeski Stadium, looking for Long's services. Long has said he's happy to stay at Reading and that "something special" is being built by the club. However, boss Brian McDermott must have his fingers crossed his club do get promoted this season, otherwise, a multi-million pound offer will be made a Premier League club in the summer for the 23 year-old.  
Long has been in such good form that he should feature in the international reckoning for the upcoming (February) Carling Nations Cup involving the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The Republic of Ireland's management are slow to pick players plying their trade outside of football's top flight, but, Shane Long has been in such splendid form, now having scored 15 goals this season, that the diminutive striker must surely feature in the international reckoning sooner rather than later.