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Birthday boy Shane Long wishes for Euro 2012 adventure

As well as taking on Stoke at the Brittania Stadium, the West Brom striker turns 25 this weekend.

IRELAND FORWARD SHANE Long turns 25 on Sunday – and he’s hoping it’s a memorable year on the pitch.

The Tipperary man is enjoying his first season with West Bromwich Albion on the Premier League and is, of course, planning to star for Ireland at the European Championships this summer.

“Obviously getting through the group stages is what I’ll be wishing for when I’m blowing out the candles, not an easy task but very possible all the same,” Long told Martin Clancy on told Beat 102-103.

“I can’t wait obviously, the whole country is buzzing back home about it so to finally make it, is brilliant. I’m trying to keep fit and stay on top of my game.”

And though Giovanni Trapattoni’s side have been drawn with world and European champions Spain, Italy and Croatia, Long is optimistic.

“We played Italy before in a friendly and we beat them 2-0, obviously Spain are the best team in the world and Croatia are right up their as well so it’s not an easy group, hopefully we can hold our own. We have the strength and depth to get through the group,” he said.

“I was one of those kids as well watching the ’94 World Cup and 2002 as well and every kid wants to be out their wearing that green shirt and giving it their all, it’s been a while since we got to the Euros – I was only one last time-  it’s been a long time coming.”

This weekend however, Albion travel to face Stoke at the Britania Stadium.

“Were confident going into Stoke [today], there’s some stats being thrown around by the press here that we haven’t won there in something like 30 years, they have done tremendous the past few season, but I know if we pass the ball like we are capable we can get around them and score goals,” the striker added.

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