Kneels to remove first pair - they're quite long (4)

I believe the answer is:

eels

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'quite long' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'kneels to remove first pair' is the wordplay.
'EELS' is hidden within the letters.
But, I'm unsure how this is indicated.

'they're' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for eels that I've seen before include "eg Conger" , "Abstract nineteen sixties style" , "Snakelike fish" , "Else they're fish" , "Slender fishes" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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