WEDNESDAY night saw Shane Long line out as an RTE pundit for the very first time.
There was a comfortingly familiar element about it though as he had ex-club and country strike partner Kevin Doyle sat next to him.
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The pair were on duty to cover Liverpool’s comfortable 2-0 triumph over Bologna as The Reds continue to settle in well to life under new boss Arne Slot.
The question of Long’s post-football life arose before kick-off though with presenter Peter Collins quizzing him on how he’s spent his time since retiring in May 2023.
The 37-year-old then detailed how he’s spent retirement so far…and how he’s currently mapping out the next phase of his life.
He said: “Retirement wasn’t forced on me through injury. I had a year back at Reading where it had all started.
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“It didn’t really go to plan but I loved every minute of it.
“I got to 35 reasonably fit and healthy so it was time to call it a day.”
Regarding post-retirement life, he added: “Well I’d always promised myself a year out of football when I finished up.
“So I’ve been spending time with the kids. I’ve a few bucket list things so…going skiing and getting my handicap down in golf!
“But it’s been a year now and I suppose it is time to think about the future and see what my next step is.
“I know it won’t be in coaching or in football so I’m trying my hand at this media side of things and see how that goes!”
At that stage, Doyle then implored the FAI to snap Long up as a youth coach.
He recalled seeing Long taking to coaching kids like a duck to water at a youth camp over the summer.
Furthermore, the Wexford man noted that Long boasts a plethora of relevant experience to help guide up and coming Irish talents in their path to becoming professional footballers.
Doyle argued: “In the summer I was away with my kids at a camp and Shane was one of the coaches.
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“And he was fabulous. He has a gift for coaching kids.
“For the FAI to have someone like him…who’s been there and done it…was in the Irish system…played GAA…all the things that Irish kids do.
“But then went on to the Premier League. What experience to be able to pass on to kids. He’d be fabulous at it.”
Such a ringing endorsement caught the attention of viewers.
Former European amateur boxing champion Eric Donovan was among them.
He said of it: “Nice touch from Kevin Doyle on Shane. When your peers endorse you, it’s a great sign.”
Similarly, Peter Gallagher agreed: “Could offer a lot to the FAI if they’re listening.”