SHANE LONG’S WEST BROM have been lined up for a preseason friendly against Cork City in early August.
City have also lined up another friendly with West Ham, which will take place on 7 July at Turner’s Cross. Irish defender Joe O’Brien was a first-team regular for the Premier League outfit last season.
A statement from Cork City’s website reads, “West Brom, who finished eighth in the Premier League this season, will travel to Leeside as they continue their pre-season preparations, and will face Tommy Dunne’s side at Turner’s Cross on 6 August at 7.45 pm.”
Long was with Cork City for two season, making his debut in the 2004/05 season before moving on to Reading. The forward, who captained Ireland for the first time against Georgia on Sunday, is set for a warm welcome.
Looking ahead to the match, West Ham legend Trevor Brooking recalled his Cork City debut on 8 December 1985.
The striker was powerless to prevent his new team from falling to a 2-0 home defeat by Galway United at the club’s old Flower Lodge stadium. However, he did manage to hit the crossbar with one audacious long-range chip. He commented:
A friend of a friend asked if I would play over there. Funnily enough I had played in New Zealand and in the North East [of England] for a side and then I played a couple of games in Cork and then in Australia.
“It was an opportunity, after I had finished but while the body was still OK, to play a few games. New Zealand was an interesting trip but Cork was closer at hand. I don’t think I did too well there – we lost both games so it’s just as well as it wasn’t a long-term contract. It was just a bit of fun.”
For more on the fixtures, check out the Cork City website.
