Man claims share of Shane Long’s transfer fee to West Brom

A dispute arising out of Irish international soccer player Shane Long's transfer from Reading FC to West Bromwich Albion has come before the High Court.

Alan O’Mahony, Woodstown Gardens, Knocklyon, Dublin, claims he acquired an interest in a transfer deal which saw the Ireland forward move from Cork City FC to Reading FC in 2005.

Mr O’Mahony claims that alleged interest entitles him to 10 per cent of Mr Long’s later move to West Bromwich Albion in 2011 for a reported £5.1m.

In his proceedings, Mr O'Mahony claims he did not receive the benefit of his interest in the contract because Carl Dillon, liquidator of Cork City Investments FC Ltd, the then holding company of Cork City,  allegedly sold the benefit of Shane Long's contract to Reading FC prior to the player's move to WBA.

He has brought proceedings against the liquidator which centre on a clause in the 2005 transfer that brought Mr Long from Cork to Reading for €40,000. As part of that deal, a clause was agreed between the clubs that Cork City would receive 10 per cent of any initial transfer fee should the player move on from Reading.

Cork City went into examinership in 2008 and Tom Coughlan acquired the club. It is claimed, as part of the financial arrangements arising from Mr Coughlan's takeover, the benefit of Mr Long's contract was subsequently assigned to Mr Coughlan and Ms Aoife Traynor.

Mr O'Mahony alleges that, in October 2010, Mr Coughlan and Ms Traynor assigned the benefit of the Shane Long contract to him for some €50,000.

In February 2010, Cork City Investments FC Ltd was wound up and Mr Dillon, a chartered accountant, was appointed liquidator. In May 2010, Mr Dillon wrongfully sold the benefit of the contract to Reading for £47,000, Mr O’Mahony claims.

This transaction discharged Reading FC from any further obligation under the Shane Long contract and, it is claimed, deprived the then assignees - Mr Coughlan and Ms Traynor - and subsequently Mr O’Mahony, of the benefits of the contract.

In August 2011, Mr Long was sold by Reading to WBA for a fee of £5.15m.

Mr O’Mahony claims, as he held the interest in the contract, he is entitled to 10 per cent of that fee.

In his action against Mr Dillon,   Mr O’Mahony, represented by Andrew Whelan Bl, seeks damages for alleged negligence, breach of duty and breach of contract.

He claims he is entitled to the benefit of the Shane Long contract and the sale of the contract by Mr Dillon to Reading FC is void.

Mr Dillon, it is claimed did not make proper enquiries into the ownership of the Shane Long contract, and was not entitled to dispose of the interest to Reading.

The claims are denied.

Shane Long, whose goals against Poland and Germany helped propel Ireland into next summer’s European Championships currently plays for Southampton FC, is not a party to the action.

When a pre-trial motion came before Mr Justice Paul Gilligan at the High Court on Thursday, he was told there was consent to Mr O'Mahony amending aspects of his claim. The judge adjourned the matter to allow the sides exchange documents.