Ronnie Whelan hopeful of eventual Home Farm promotion to top flight
Former Ireland International and Home Farm FC and Liverpool FC player Ronnie Whelan. Pic: Ben Brady/Inpho
One of Home Farm’s famous alumni, Ronnie Whelan, hopes the relaunch of their League of Ireland arm results in eventual promotion to the top-flight.
Backed financially by former players Brian Honan and Gavin Whelan, nephew of Ronnie, and aided by a partnership with Dublin City University that means scholarships can be offered to budding players, they kick off life in the third tier at the end of August. Promotion will be available to the First Division from next year.
The famous schoolboy outfit was a League of Ireland participant for 30 years from 1972, famously shocking the country by lifting the FAI Senior Cup within three years.
They’ve now re-entered as a separate financial entity to the existing underage set-up – just two years short of the club’s centenary in 2028.
“It will be great to get the Home Farm name out there again because it has gone back,” said Whelan, who won six league titles and the 1984 European Cup over 15 years at Liverpool.
“Education is so important for footballers. It killed me that my Dad stopped me joining Manchester United at 15 but he was right to continue by schooling.
“Players cannot go to England anymore at 16 because of the Brexit rules but can now get qualifications, as well as a top grounding in football, by joining this project.
“Hopefully in a few years’ time, Home Farm can get into the Premier Division. It would be nice to get a few players into the Ireland squad too.”
Whelan was on Tuesday unveiled as the club’s global ambassador while his brother, Paul, takes up the position as chief football officer. Another former FAI employee, Nicola Brannigan, has been appointed as chief executive.
DCU were previously involved in scholarship programmes at Shelbourne and they’ve also provided a training base but this coalition sees them part of the name, ‘Home Farm DCU’.
“This new model will be built on education, sport and community and will offer structured third-level education opportunities and scholarships for elite players, ensuring they can pursue both their football and academic ambitions at DCU,” said DCU their director of sport James Galvin.
“Home Farm are our neighbours in the community, and a household name in Irish football so we look forward to working together to make this a reality for students and a successful partnership.”
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