The 12th annual Hurling For Cancer fundraising match took place on Monday and Shane Long was among the major stars from the Irish sporting community who were out in force.
The match pitted two star-studded sides against one another at in the latest instalment of the cause, which has raised over €1.5million for the Irish Cancer Society.
There was a strong crowd in attendance at Cullen Park in Carlow for the event, which saw legendary jockey Davy Russell's Best take on trainer Jim Bolger's Stars on the day.
Russell had decorated ex-Kilkenny boss Brian Cody in the dugout and he was pitted against the formidable duo of Wexford legend Liam Griffin and Limerick manager John Kiely on the opposite side.
Some of the sport's finest talents togged out on the day, alongside some of the stars of tomorrow including the Offaly U20 duo of Adam Screeney and Dan Bourke on Bolger's team.
Former Ireland soccer star Long picked up a hurl for the occasion, having famously played with Tipperary at minor level before his professional soccer journey kicked into gear.
Stephen Hunt of Wexford, another ex-Ireland international and teammate of Long's, also took part having done so in the past.
The teams have been announced for @Hurling4cancer 2024@_Davy_Russel_ Best v Jim Bolger’s ⭐️
🗓️Next Monday 12th August
📍Netwatch Cullen Park Carlow
⏰7pm throw in
🎟️ https://t.co/ktXE6qIpPQ & at gate
Supporting @IrishCancerSoc cancer research 🔬 pic.twitter.com/VmTvgrdNTS— HurlingForCancer 🎗 (@Hurling4cancer) August 9, 2024
Long was among the scores and showed he has not lost his skills when sticking a fine point between the posts for Bolger's side.
It was Long's team who took the win on the day by a score of 11-09 to 8-17 on a day that embodied the community of Irish sport.
11 nóim, #hurling4cancer
Jim Bolger’s Stars 1-03
Davy Russell’s Best 0-05
Fear an tsacair, Shane Long le cúilín álainn!
Shane Long showing his scoring ability with an impressive point.
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV 📺@Hurling4cancer @IrishCancerSoc @HRIRacing pic.twitter.com/A1jL8xJwTP— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) August 12, 2024
Shane Long reflects on Hurling For Cancer involvement
Long admitted after the game to TG4 that it had been 20 years since he played a game of hurling - a staggering stat.
The former Premier League footballer played with Tipperary up until minor level, coming out on the losing end of the 2004 Munster Minor final for his county.
It was great to be involved." Long reflected.
"It is 20 years since I played a game of hurling so it was tough but hurling was always my first love so I am delighted to be a part of today. It is a great cause.
"I thought it was going to be all ex-jockeys and ex-football players and I showed up and there was a shower of All-Stars making me look stupid!
"But it has been brilliant."
#hurling4cancer
Shane Long ag labhairt le @RebelDevil71
“Hurling was always my first love so delighted to part of today” 💪
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV 📺@Hurling4cancer @IrishCancerSoc @HRIRacing pic.twitter.com/p4ppwUWl8U— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) August 12, 2024
Elaborating on his 'first love' - Long admitted he had a big decision to make whether to pursue the sport or to give soccer a go.
'It was all about sport for me (growing up)," he said.
"I played hurling until I was 17 and had to make a decision then soccer took over.
"That and family now is all I care about."
Brilliant stuff.
Sportsfile were on hand to catch the scenes in Carlow and captured Long and some of his fellow Irish sport stars in action during what was a great day on the Irish sporting calendar.
12 August 2024; Former Republic of Ireland men's national team player Shane Long before the Hurling for Cancer Research 2024 charity match at Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
12 August 2024; Former boxer Bernard Dunne, left, and Dublin footballer Con O'Callaghan before the Hurling for Cancer Research 2024 charity match at Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
12 August 2024; Former Republic of Ireland men's national team player Stephen Hunt playing for Jim Bolger's Stars before the Hurling for Cancer Research 2024 charity match at Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
12 August 2024; Players, from left, former Wexford hurler Martin Storey, former Kilkenny hurler Tommy Walsh and Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes before the Hurling for Cancer Research 2024 charity match at Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
12 August 2024; Dublin footballer Con O'Callaghan is interviewed by broadcaster Oisin Langan before the Hurling for Cancer Research 2024 charity match at Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
12 August 2024; Jockey Davy Russell playing for Davy Russell's Best and Referee Dickie Murphy during the Hurling for Cancer Research 2024 charity match at Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
12 August 2024; Dublin footballer Michael Fitzsimons arrives before the Hurling for Cancer Research 2024 charity match at Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
12 August 2024; Trainer Jim Bolger, left, and 1996 All-Ireland winning Wexford hurling manager Liam Griffin in attendance during the Hurling for Cancer Research 2024 charity match at Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
12 August 2024; Referees Cyril Farrell, left, and Dickie Murphy, right, with former boxer Bernard Dunne acting as umpire during the Hurling for Cancer Research 2024 charity match at Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
