But the 19-year-old Reading striker will not watching today's Munster final between his beloved Tipp and the old enemy in the flesh, but instead from the comfort of O'Neill's Irish bar in the heart of Reading's town centre.

Pre-season starts on Tuesday and after four weeks at home the Gortnahoe native is set to begin what will be a mammoth season. A season that will begin on August 19 at home to Middlesbrough and, unbelievably, one that will take place in the Premiership.

Kevin Doyle may have deservedly stolen all the limelight after moving from Cork City nearly a year ago, but there was another young gun involved in that particular transfer and Long's four goals from limited game time suggest he is a player with a big future also.

With his talents, though, Long could well have been gracing the hallowed turf of Semple Stadium today. Like with the larger version, he is a keen marksman with a sliotar in his hand and scored 21 against the Rebels in two minor hurling finals in a row only a couple of years ago.

The chance was there to become a star for the Premier, but instead he chose to pursue a career in soccer, a decision that at present seems to be paying some handsome dividends.

"I played hurling well before I started playing the football, " explains Long. "In fact I was probably born with a hurl in my hand coming from Tipp. I didn't really pick soccer early on. I was just playing both of them and loving both of them.

"But the time came when I had to pick one. I was playing a youths game down in Cork and I think there was a Cork City scout there. Then Pat Dolan came up to watch me and he asked if I wanted to come down.

"It was a hard decision to make, but I'm delighted I made it in the end. I miss the hurling, but the fact I can now make a career out of soccer is great."

Now Long's only link to the game is a puck around with Reading's Waterford born winger Stephen Hunt, something the pair do on a regular basis at Hogwood Park, the Royals' training ground.

Indeed Long is relishing the resumption of such activities after the full squad return to training on July 3, where he'll hold bragging rights after Tipp's comprehensive win against the Desies at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in the Munster semi-final.

Next week will be an opportunity for the youngsters at the Madejski to get a week's training under their belts before the arrival of the more senior pros at the club. Johnny Hayes, another Irish under-19 international, will be trying to force his way into contention this season, with Darren Stapleton and Conor Sinnot, who is presently on a three-month trial with Limerick, a little further down the pecking order.

With Doyle, Hunt and substitute goalkeeper Graham Stack also having roots in Ireland, manager Steve Coppell will have plenty of Irish talent to pick from when he sits down to pick his team next season.

Long, for his part, couldn't be happier with how things have gone since his move across the Irish Sea and himself Dave Kitson, Leroy Lita and Doyle were given the perfect boost in confidence last week when Coppell expressed his intention to stick with the four strikers already at the club.

"I couldn't have expected to do any better, " admits Long.

"I went over just to be involved at some stage and I'm delighted with how it has gone and hopefully there's more to come."

"At the start I was only involved in the youth system and reserves, but about a month before Christmas Steve Coppell gave me a call to go and train with the firstteam and then I had my first run on New Year's Eve.

"He's a brilliant manager and is the same if you win or lose. He's doesn't put any pressure on you to perform and I think I've improved as a result."

Improved he has and rubbing shoulders with the best of the best in the Premiership will bring that development on again.

But there are those who would say that this season may have come a year too early and that he could have done with another year in the Championship before making the massive step-up that is required in England's top flight.

In a typically confident tone, though, Long has a quick riposte for such doubters simply saying, "I love a challenge" and judging by what he has achieved so far in England, that particular attribute is certainly not in doubt.