Following an outstanding scoring season with the Manchester Storm, the EIHL’s British Player of the Year, Ciaran Long, joins the Belfast Giants for the 2019/20 season.
Long is a product of the Swindon hockey system having worked his way through to first play with the Wildcats in 2005/06 at EPIHL level before making more of an indentation to regular appearances the following year.
A hard working player, Long has spent his career producing points and developing his game predominantly at the UK’s second tier before being given his first EIHL call from the Basingstoke Bison.
No stranger to silverware in the EPIHL, Long has also represented GB through the junior levels, picking up a gold medals at both Under-18 and Under-20 level.
Last season with the Storm, Long had a standout season which placed him as the EIHL’s top British goal scorer with 25 goals. There’s no doubt that the Belfast Giants, with the retirement of Colin Shields, will hope Long begins on the path to fill some pretty big skates.
In his exclusive interview with AVFTB, Long tells Davy McGimpsey that it wasn’t a difficult decision to join Adam Keefe’s side. “The moment I found out Belfast were looking to contact me, I really wanted to make it happen.”
Ciaran speaks to Davy about his disappointment not to make the GB team, his love for the Irish accent and his anticipation ahead of the Champions Hockey League draw.
In Ciaran Long the Belfast Giants are once again picking up great established British talent to add to the strong core within the League Champions. Doubtless he will fit in well.
And it’s with that we welcome him.
Bout’ye Ciaran.
Words: Patrick Smyth
Audio: Davy McGimpsey / AVFTB
Image courtesy of the Belfast Giants
Header Graphic: Matt Harvey
