THE EXECUTIVE council of Fine Gael has selected hurling great Brian Whelahan to be a candidate for Offaly County Council in the local elections on June 5th.
Whelahan joins sitting councillor Percy Clendennen and businessman Nigel Craughwell on the Fine Gael ticket in the four-seat Birr area.The holder of four All-Star Awards and two All-Ireland medals, when he was chosen for the Hurling Team of the Millennium in 2000, Whelahan was the only team member still playing. Fine Gael national director of elections Frank Flannery said: “Brian Whelahan is an excellent young candidate with an exceptional sporting pedigree and a track record in business. The party has a very strong ticket in the Birr electoral area and looks forward to success.”
Fine Gael TD for Laois-Offaly Olwyn Enright said: “He has a great understanding of the needs of people in the Birr area. Well-known nationally as a great sportsman and legendary hurler, he is also known locally in his business capacity.”
Meanwhile, a Fianna Fáil spokeswoman declined to comment on reports that former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Packie Bonner, now technical director with the Football Association of Ireland, may be a candidate for the main government party in the elections to the European Parliament in the Ireland North-West constituency, which also take place on
June 5th.
