X-Nico

unusual facts about Ronnie Whelan, Sr.


FAI Cup

Goals from Gavin Whelan (whose father, Paul, captained Bohemians to the 1992 cup and whose grandfather, Ronnie, won 2 cups with St. Patrick's Athletic) and captain Declan O'Brien helped "the Drogs" to a 2-0 win over Cork City.


Ronnie Whelan, Sr.

Whelan signed for Córas Iompair Éireann who were then in the League of Ireland "B" division, in January 1974 and also played for Aer Lingus at Leinster Senior League level for some considerable time thereafter.

It would be a further thirty-four years before Drogheda captured the blue riband event of Irish football, but Gavin Whelan's opening goal against Cork City in the 2005 decider brought his family's footballing narrative full-circle; the midfielder is Ronnie Snr.'s grandson.

(a 53-cap Republic of Ireland international and the winner of countless trophies and plaudits with Liverpool F.C.) and Paul Whelan (at Shamrock Rovers) were both enjoying professional careers, and his grandson Gavin Whelan has also gone on to be a professional footballer.

Stephen McGuinness

A centre half, he played schoolboy football for Home Farm and spent his schooldays in Patrician College, Finglas, a school which has produced many Republic of Ireland underage internationals players, and most notably two full international players in Alan Moore (footballer) and Ronnie Whelan.

Tony Fenton

Besides radio, Fenton also involved in soccer in his early years, playing alongside Ronnie Whelan at Home Farm.


see also