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. He later added a Leinster medal to his collection following an 0-11 to 0-5 defeat of Castletown. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Birr take on Sarsfield's 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 gave Whelehan a second championship medal. A subsequent 1-16 to 0-11 defeat of Castletown gave Whelehan a second Leinster medal.
Whelehan won further championship medals in 2000 and 2001 as Birr retained their status as the kingpins of Offaly hurling. Once again Birr defeated Castletown in the provincial decider to gave Whelehan his third Leinster medal. Once again Birr qualified for the All-Ireland final with Clarinbridge providing the opposition. A 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.
Birr continued their dominance in 2002 with Whelehan winning a fifth championship medal following a 3-12 to 2-7 defeat of Kilcormac-Killoughey. He later added a fourth Leinster medal to his collection following a 2-5 to 1-2 defeat of Young Irelands in deplorable conditions. Birr later faced Dunloy in the All-Ireland decider. 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 by 1-18 to 1-11 to secure their fifth successive county championship. 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 trounced Coolderry by 0-20 to 0-5.
It was the start of another great run of success for Birr as the club retained their titles in 2006 and 2007. Later that year Whelehan won his fifth and final Leinster medal as Birr narrowly defeated Ballyboden St. Enda's by 1-11 to 0-13. Birr later had the chance to make history by becoming the first club side to win five All-Ireland titles, however, Portumna easily defeated Whelehan's side by 3-19 to 3-9 in the decider.
In 2008 Whelehan won a remarkable tenth championship medal as Birr defeated Kinnitty by 1-15 to 0-15. It was a fourth successive county title for Birr.
Read more about this topic: Simon Whelahan, Playing Career
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