McIntyre leaves door open for Whelahan return

OFFALY manager John McIntyre has left the door open for two time hurler of the year Brian Whelahan to continue his inter-county career for one more season.

Whelahan, who played no part in Offaly’s NHL campaign this season, insisted that he will be available for the championship if required.

He also denied that there was a rift between him and manager John McIntyre.

There were suggestions yesterday that the Birr man, an All-Ireland SHC winner in 1994 and 1998, was to retire. However, he admitted last night that speculation may have been premature.

“I did confirm to John that I would not be re-joining the county side,” Whelahan said last night. “But John then offered me something of a lifeline telling me that if my club championship form was good that I should be no stranger to his door.”

But the only player of modern times to be selected on the team of the Millennium said that things “are still up in the air. No one wants to call time on a sporting career but like everything it has to come to an end and over the next couple of weeks I’ll put an answer to all of that.”

Earlier manager McIntyre had paid tribute to the Birr man: “Brian was the jewel in Offaly’s crown for 15 years and gave tremendous service to the county. I’m sorry to see him go but understand his thinking. Offaly is in a rebuilding process and Brian knows himself that he won’t be around in three years time.”

The news will be welcome to Faithful fans, especially after their shock loss to minnows Carlow in the NHL earlier this month.

Whelahan made his senior debut in 1989, while still a minor. After captaining the county to the All-Ireland MHC title in 1989, he went on to win a NHL medal in 1991, three Leinster senior medals, 1990, ‘94 and ‘95, and two Hurler of the Year awards in 1994 and 1998 - the years that Offaly captured the Liam McCarthy Cup.

At club level, he was a member of the Birr team which won a record four All Ireland club titles in a row 1999-2002. He also picked up three Allstar awards in 1992, ‘98, and ‘99. Brian was joined by brothers Simon and Barry, who were also on the All-Ireland winning team of 1998.

Joe Errity, who captained that 1998 side, heaped praise on his former colleague.

“He had everything,” Errrity said. “He had skill, pace, was a tremendous reader of a game, and had that uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time,” he added. “You could play Brian anywhere from goal to full forward and you would be guaranteed 100% from him. I played at full back in the 1998 victory and he was outside me - every time he won the ball you were assured it would go 60 or 70 yards down the field.

“He had that great ability to get in his strike from the tightest of situations. He was a master craftsman, and it’s sad to see him depart.”

Offaly face Kilkenny in the Leinster SHC at Croke Park on June 12. Ironically, Whelahan features in two of RTÉ’s Top 20 GAA Moments to be shown on Sunday on RTÉ Two.