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Shane Long airs grievance at Kenny jersey snub

Shane Long has said he knew he wouldn't have a long-term Republic of Ireland future under Stephen Kenny after he was asked to unwittingly pass on his No 9 jersey to Adam Idah.

The Tipperary man has been capped 88 times for his country, but he has been eased out of the picture over the last two years by a wave of younger attacking talent.

Long has not played for Ireland since the friendly against Qatar in June 2021.

Speaking on the 'Kay And Ash, Share Your Voice' podcast, which is co-hosted by his wife Kayleigh, Long shared a story from the early days of Kenny's reign which signified that "the writing was on the wall" in terms of his international future.

"It was late in my Ireland career," the 36-year-old said. "So obviously when you come into the ranks you get a high number in the Ireland squad.

"I remember Kevin Doyle was No 9, Richie Dunne was No 5, Robbie Keane was No 9. Going back over the years it was Gary Kelly No 2, Ian Harte No 3. You kind of earned your number in the squad.

"Once Kevin [Doyle] had left international football and gone to America, I was given the No 9 shirt. I was so proud to have that number, and I had it for years.

"Stephen Kenny called me into the squad. He called me, Seamus Coleman and Darren Randolph. He wanted to start a new tradition of welcoming new players, give them their first Ireland jersey. I had a little speech saying how proud I was to make my first appearance, just introducing them to the team, which I thought was a great idea.

"So Seamus Coleman steps up, I think he had Dara O'Shea and gives him the No 23 jersey. Randolph stepped up, I think it was Caoimhin Kelleher he gave the jersey to, another high number. And then I stepped up and it was Adam Idah, and I was delighted because

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