Brian Whelahan

Brian Whelahan (born 23 August 1971) is an Irish former hurler who played as a left wing-back at senior level for the Offaly county team.

Born in Banagher, County Offaly, Whelahan first played competitive hurling whilst at school in St Brendan's Community School.

He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of fifteen when he first linked up with the Offaly minor team, before later lining out with the under-21 side.

Pádraig Horan, Offaly's All-Ireland winning captain of 1981, was trainer of the team.

Whelahan was a substitute on the team that captured both Leinster and All-Ireland titles in 1986.

He made his senior debut during the 1989 championship.

Whelahan went on to play a key role for Offaly during a hugely successful era for the team, and won two All-Ireland medals, four Leinster medals and one National Hurling League medals.

He was an All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions.

As a member of the Leinster inter-provincial team for on a number of occasions, Whelahan won two Interprovincial Cup medals.

At club level he won a record four All-Ireland medals with Birr, while he also claimed seven Leinster medals and twelve championship medals.

Throughout his career Whelahan made 55 championship appearances, second only to Joe Dooley in Offaly's all-time rankings.

In 1991 Whelahan tasted his first success with Birr.

As captain of the team he collected his first championship medal following a narrow 1–12 to 1–11 defeat of Seir Kieran.

He later added a Leinster medal to his collection following a 2–14 to 0–3 trouncing of Ballyhale Shamrocks.

On 29 March 1992 Whelahan lead his team out against Kiltormer at Semple Stadium for the All-Ireland final.

A 0–15 to 1–8 defeat was Birr's lot on that occasion.

After a period of decline, Birr bounced back in 1994.

A narrow 0–8 to 0–6 defeat of Seir Kieran once again gave Whelahan his second championship medal.

The subsequent provincial campaign saw Birr draw 0–10 to 1–7 with Oulart-the Ballagh.

Birr won the replay by 3–7 to 2–5, giving Whelahan a second Leinster medal.

On 17 March 1995 Whelahan lined out in a second All-Ireland decider, this time with Dunloy providing the opposition.

A 0–9 apiece draw was the result on that occasion.

The replay was much more conclusive, with Whelahan collecting his first All-Ireland medal following a 3–13 to 2–3 victory.

In 1997 Birr and Seir Kieran renewed their rivalry in the county championship.

A 0–14 to 2–4 victory gave Whelahan his third championship medal.

He later added a third Leinster medal to his collection following an 0–11 to 0–5 defeat of Castletown.

The subsequent All-Ireland final on 17 March 1998 saw Birr take on Sarsfield's of Galway.

Darren Hanniffy scored the only goal of the game after just five minutes and gave Birr a lead that they would never surrender.

A 1–13 to 0–9 victory gave Whelahan his second All-Ireland medal.

After surrendering their titles later that year, Birr bounced back in 1999.

He has been repeatedly voted onto teams made up of the sport's greats, including at left wing-back on the Hurling Team of the Millennium in 2000.

Whelahan was educated locally at St Brendan's Presentation Brothers National School, where he started off his hurling career under the tutelage of Bro.

Vincent and Tony Samson.

He later attended St. Brendan's Community School where he joined the school hurling team.

His retirement came following the conclusion of the 2006 championship.

Whelahan's father, Pad Joe, and his brothers, Simon and Barry, also played with Offaly.

In retirement from playing, Whelahan became involved in team management and coaching.

At club level he took charge of club sides Camross and Kiltormer before serving as manager of the Offaly senior team for a two-year spell.

Whelahan is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in the history of the game.

During his playing days he won four All-Star awards, as well as being the first person to be named Texaco Hurler of the Year on two occasions.