# Simon Whelehan > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Simon_Whelehan > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Simon_Whelehan.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Whelehan > Source revision: 1334488360 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Irish hurler (born 1976)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} {{Infobox Gaelic Athletic Association player | code= Hurling | sport = Hurling | image = | name = Simon Whelehan | irish = Síomón Ó Faoileacháin | feet = 5 | inches = 7 | nickname = | county = Offaly | province = Leinster | club = [Birr](/source/Birr_GAA) | clposition = Full-back | clubs = | clyears = | clapps(points) = | clcounty = 10 | clprovince= 5 | clallireland = 3 | counties = [Offaly](/source/Offaly_GAA) | icposition = Full-back | icyears = 1998-2004 | icapps(points) = 25 (0-19) | icprovince = 0 | icallireland = 1 | allstars = 0 | nhl = 0 | clupdate = | icupdate = | birth_date={{Birth date and age|1976|7|27|df=yes}} | birth_place=[Birr, County Offaly](/source/Birr%2C_County_Offaly), [Ireland](/source/Republic_of_Ireland) }} '''Simon Whelehan''' (born 27 July 1976) is an [Irish](/source/Irish_people) [hurler](/source/Hurling) who played as a full-back for the [Offaly](/source/Offaly_GAA) senior hurling team. Whelehan made his first appearance for the team during the [1998 championship](/source/All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship_1998) and subsequently became a regular member of the starting fifteen until his retirement after the [2004 championship](/source/All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship_2004). During that time he won one [All-Ireland](/source/All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship) medal. Whelehan was an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion. At club level Whelehan is a three-time [All-Ireland](/source/All-Ireland_Senior_Club_Hurling_Championship) medalist with [Birr](/source/Birr_GAA). In addition to this he has also won five [Leinster](/source/Leinster_Senior_Club_Hurling_Championship) medals and ten [county club championship](/source/Offaly_Senior_Hurling_Championship) medals. Whelehan's father, [Pad Joe](/source/Pad_Joe_Whelehan), and his brothers, [Brian](/source/Brian_Whelahan) and [Barry](/source/Barry_Whelehan), also played hurling with Offaly. ==Playing career== ===Club=== Whelehan plays his club hurling with Birr and has enjoyed much success during a lengthy career. By 1997 Whelehan was a regular member of the starting fifteen. That year he won his first county championship medal following a 0–14 to 2–4 defeat of [Seir Kieran](/source/Seir_Kieran_GAA). He later added a Leinster medal to his collection following an 0–11 to 0–5 defeat of [Castletown](/source/Castletown_GAA). The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Birr take on [Sarsfield's](/source/Sarsfields_GAA_(Galway)) 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 Whelehan his first All-Ireland medal. After surrendering their titles the following year, Birr bounced back in 1999. A 3–15 to 1–11 defeat of [St. Rynagh's](/source/St._Rynagh's_GAA) gave Whelehan a second championship medal.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/whelahan-experiment-pays-off-for-classy-birr-392510.html|title=Whelahan experiment pays off for classy Birr|work=Irish Independent|date=4 October 1999|accessdate=2 December 2012|first=Vincent|last=Hogan}} A subsequent 1–16 to 0–11 defeat of Castletown gave Whelehan a second Leinster medal.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/whelahan-magic-keeps-birr-bandwagon-rolling-392023.html|title=Whelahan magic keeps Birr bandwagon rolling|work=Irish Independent|date=29 November 1999|accessdate=2 December 2012}} Whelehan won further championship medals in 2000 and 2001 as Birr retained their status as the kingpins of Offaly hurling.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/birr-pushed-to-the-limit-by-battling-st-rynaghs-328842.html|title=Birr pushed to the limit by battling St Rynagh's|work=Irish Independent|date=8 October 2001|accessdate=2 December 2012}} Once again Birr defeated Castletown in the provincial decider to give Whelehan his third Leinster medal.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/simple-for-birr-as-simon-returns-with-interest-323638.html|title=Simple for Birr as Simon returns with interest|work=Irish Independent|date=17 December 2001|accessdate=2 December 2012|first=Vincent|last=Hogan}} Once again Birr qualified for the All-Ireland final with [Clarinbridge](/source/Clarinbridge_GAA) providing the opposition. A [Declan Pilkington](/source/Declan_Pilkington) goal inside sixty seconds was the perfect start, although the Westerners did recover to lead by 1–4 to 1 -2 at the break. With wind advantage, Birr took control and secured a 2–10 to 1–5 victory. It was Whelehan's second All-Ireland medal, his first as captain.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/birrs-semple-sensation-313856.html|title=Birr's Semple sensation|work=Irish Independent|date=18 March 2002|accessdate=2 December 2012|first=Vincent|last=Hogan}} Birr continued their dominance in 2002 with Whelehan winning a fifth championship medal following a 3–12 to 2–7 defeat of [Kilcormac-Killoughey](/source/Kilcormac-Killoughey_GAA).{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/whelahan-and-claffey-have-it-their-own-way-294484.html|title=Whelahan and Claffey have it their own way|work=Irish Independent|date=30 September 2002|accessdate=2 December 2012}} He later added a fourth Leinster medal to his collection following a 2–5 to 1–2 defeat of [Young Irelands](/source/Young_Irelands_GAA_(Gowran)) in deplorable conditions.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/disgusted-pat-joe-lashes-offaly-over-snub-281007.html|title='Disgusted' Pat Joe lashes Offaly over snub|work=Irish Independent|date=2 December 2002|accessdate=2 December 2012|first=Vincent|last=Hogan}} Birr later faced [Dunloy](/source/Dunloy_GAA) in the All-Ireland decider.{{cite web|url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/classy-birr-too-good-for-dunloy-92018.html|title=Classy Birr too good for Dunloy|work=Breaking News website|date=17 March 2003|accessdate=2 December 2012}} At the third time of asking Birr finally retained the title with a 1–19 to 0–11 victory. It was Whelehan's third All-Ireland medal. In 2003 Birr defeated [Ballyskenach](/source/Ballyskenach_GAA) by 1–18 to 1–11 to secure their fifth successive county championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/whelahans-amazing-run-continues-199122.html|title=Whelahan's amazing run continues|work=Irish Independent|date=6 October 2003|accessdate=2 December 2012}} It was Whelehan's sixth championship medal. A record six-in-a-row proved beyond Birr, however, Whelehan won his seventh championship medal in 2005 as his side beat[Coolderry](/source/Coolderry_GAA) by 0–20 to 0–5.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/offaly-birr-exact-revenge-in-ruthless-final-display-235975.html|title=Birr exact revenge in ruthless final display|work=Irish Independent|date=17 October 2005|accessdate=2 December 2012}} It was the start of another great run of success for Birr as the club retained their titles in 2006 and 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/hanniffy-the-birr-hero-again-72352.html|title=Hanniffy the Birr hero again|work=Irish Independent|date=9 October 2006|accessdate=2 December 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/whelahan-turns-back-the-clock-with-vintage-display-as-birr-power-to-their-eleventh-senior-hurling-championship-title-in-17-years-1200851.html|title=Whelahan turns back the clock with vintage display as Birr power to their eleventh senior hurling championship title in 17 years|work=Irish Independent|date=22 October 2007|accessdate=2 December 2012}} Later that year Whelehan won his fifth and final Leinster medal as Birr narrowly defeated [Ballyboden St. Enda's](/source/Ballyboden_St._Enda's) by 1–11 to 0–13.{{cite web|url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/birr-in-seventh-heaven-after-leinster-final-win-338917.html|title=Birr in seventh heaven after Leinster final win|work=Breaking News website|date=2 December 2007|accessdate=2 December 2012}} Birr later had the chance to make history by becoming the first club side to win five All-Ireland titles, however, [Portumna](/source/Portumna_GAA) easily defeated Whelehan's side by 3–19 to 3–9 in the decider.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/canning-masterclass-seals-portumna-glory-1320241.html|title=Canning masterclass seals Portumna glory|work=Irish Independent|date=18 March 2008|accessdate=2 December 2012}} In 2008 Whelehan won a tenth championship medal as Birr defeated [Kinnitty](/source/Kinnitty_GAA) by 1–15 to 0–15. It was a fourth successive county title for Birr.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/hanniffy-inspired-for-birr-in-tense-decider-1497068.html|title=Hanniffy inspired for Birr in tense decider|work=Irish Independent|date=13 October 2008|accessdate=2 December 2012}} ===Inter-county=== Whelehan made his senior debut for Offaly in a Leinster championship game against [Meath](/source/Meath_GAA) in 1998. He played no part in Offaly's subsequent provincial final defeat by [Kilkenny](/source/Kilkenny_GAA). This defeat prompted the Offaly manager, [Babs Keating](/source/Babs_Keating), to describe the team as "sheep in a heap", and he promptly resigned. It looked as if Offaly's championship hopes were in disarray, however, they overcame [Antrim](/source/Antrim_GAA) in the All-Ireland quarter-final and qualified to meet [Clare](/source/Clare_GAA) in the semi-final. The first game ended in a draw and had to be replayed, however, the replay was ended early because of a time-keeping error by the referee [Jimmy Cooney](/source/Jimmy_Cooney_(Galway_hurler)). Following a protest on the pitch of [Croke Park](/source/Croke_Park) by the Offaly supporters it was decided that Clare and Offaly would meet for a third time.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/tv/scannal/scannalhurling.html|title=Scannal: Long Hot Summer|date=17 March 2008|work=RTÉ Television|accessdate=1 December 2012}} Whelehan's side won the third game and qualified to play Kilkenny in the final. On that day Brian Whelahan delivered one of his greatest-ever Offaly performances, scoring 1–6. Offaly reversed the Leinster final defeat by winning the All-Ireland final by 2–13 to 1–16.{{cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/kilkenny-hurling/offaly-tune-in-step-up-and-prove-an-unstoppable-force/|title=Offaly tune in, step up and prove an unstoppable force|date=14 September 1998|work=Irish Times|accessdate=4 November 2010|first=Seán|last=Moran}} It was Whelehan's first [All-Ireland](/source/All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship) medal. Offaly surrendered their All-Ireland crown the following year but returned to the All-Ireland decider again in 2000 in a repeat of the Leinster final. Kilkenny's [D.J. Carey](/source/D.J._Carey) capitalised on an Offaly mistake after just six minutes to start a goal-fest for "the Cats". Carey scored 2–4 in all, sharing his second goal with [Henry Shefflin](/source/Henry_Shefflin) who also scored a goal in the second-half. At the full-time whistle Kilkenny were the champions by 5–15 to 1–14. The following few seasons proved difficult as Kilkenny went on to dominate the provincial championship. Whelehan decided to retire from inter-county hurling after the 2004 championship. ===Inter-provincial=== Whelehan also lined out with [Leinster](/source/Leinster_GAA) in the inter-provincial series of games. He won a [Railway Cup](/source/Railway_Cup) medal in 1998 as Leinster narrowly defeated [Connacht](/source/Connacht_GAA) by 0–16 to 2–9.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/carter-engineers-leinster-victory-in-railway-thriller-427785.html|title=Carter engineers Leinster victory in Railway thriller|work=Irish Independent|date=23 November 1998|accessdate=2 December 2012|first=Paddy|last=Hickey}} ==Honours== ===As a player=== ;Birr *[All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship](/source/All-Ireland_Senior_Club_Hurling_Championship) (3): 1998, 2002, 2003 *[Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship](/source/Leinster_Senior_Club_Hurling_Championship) (5): 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2007 *[Offaly Senior Club Hurling Championship](/source/Offaly_Senior_Club_Hurling_Championship) (10): 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 ;Offaly *[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship](/source/All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship) (1): [1998](/source/All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship_1998) ;Leinster *[Railway Cup](/source/Railway_Cup) (1): 1998 ==References== {{Reflist}} {{S-start}} {{S-ach|achievements}} {{Succession box| after=[Gary Hanniffy](/source/Gary_Hanniffy)
([Birr](/source/Birr_GAA))| title=[All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Final](/source/All-Ireland_Senior_Club_Hurling_Championship)
winning [captain](/source/Captain_(sport))| years=2002| before=[Joe Rabbitte](/source/Joe_Rabbitte)
([Athenry](/source/Athenry_GAA)) }} {{S-end}} {{Navboxes |title=Simon Whelehan navigation boxes |bg= |fg= |list1= {{Birr Hurling Team 1998}} {{Birr Hurling Team 2002}} {{Birr Hurling Team 2003}} {{Birr Hurling Team 2008}} {{Offaly Hurling Team 1998}} {{Offaly Hurling Team 2000}} }} {{DEFAULTSORT:Whelehan, Simon}} Category:1976 births Category:Living people Category:Birr hurlers Category:Offaly inter-county hurlers Category:Leinster inter-provincial hurlers Category:All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship winners Category:Sportspeople from Birr, County Offaly --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Simon Whelehan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Whelehan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Whelehan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.