High Court hears dispute regarding Shane Long’s 2011 transfer from Reading to West Brom

A case is being heard before the High Court in relation to Shane Long's transfer to West Bromwich Albion four years ago.

Dubliner Alan O’Mahony claims that he secured an interest in Long's €40,000 transfer between Cork City and Reading which took place in 2005. Mr O'Mahony has suggested that he is therefore entitled to 10% of Long's subsequent transfer to West Brom in a deal worth £5.1 million. Long is not a party in the action. In his case, Mr O'Mahony claims that he did not receive the benefit of his interest because it was sold to Reading before the player left the London club. Mr O'Mahony alleges that liquidator of Cork City Investments FC Ltd, Carl Dillon, wrongfully sold the benefit that was initially bought by Mr O'Mahony in 2010 for €50,000. Mr O'Mahony is seeking damages for alleged negligence, breach of duty and breach of contract as the benefit sold to Reading by Mr Dillon ought to be void because the liquidator did not pursue the proper protocol in researching the ownership of Shane Long's contract. The claims are denied and the judge has adjourned the matter to allow the sides to exchange documents.