Deserving honour for a true genius

It brought me great delight to see my old team-mate Brian Whelahan (right) being inducted into Leinster’s Hall of Fame. In a way, it’s sad that we’re looking back again, that today’s Leinster semi-final between Galway and Offaly is being treated almost a foregone conclusion, but he will get a great reception at O’Moore Park.

He was man of the match in five All-Irelands – the two All-finals he won with Offaly in 1994 and ’98 and three club deciders with Birr. That’s mindboggling for a start. He didn’t win it in the other one because they probably wanted to give it to someone else!

Like DJ Carey, his talent was clear from day one. A tiny slip of a young lad when growing up, he was destined for greatness. Remember, he won a minor championship as an Under 14 in 1985, the first of four. He also claimed five U16 championships. Things that would be unheard of today. -He had it all –pace, skill, grace. And the one thing I loved as well was that there wasn’t a better club man. Here’s hoping he can still inspire his county men.