FOOTBALL CAN BE a cruel, cruel game.
More than four years after signing for Burnley, Cork-born defender Kevin Long was given his opportunity this afternoon as he made his long-awaited Premier League debut.
The 24-year-old was introduced not long into the Claret’s game at Newcastle after Jason Shackell was forced off through injury.
But, he suffered the same fate as 20 minutes after coming on, Long landed awkwardly after contesting for possession with Emmanuel Rivière.
Long progressed through Cork’s youth ranks and after attracting attention from several clubs, signed for the Turf Moor club in November 2009.
Loan spells at Accrington Stanley, Rochdale and Portsmouth have since followed. He made his Burnley debut in December 2012 and had been an unused sub in 14 of Burnley’s top-flight games this term.
