Offaly in crisis as Whelahans walkout

A potential split is developing in Offaly hurling over the withdrawal from training this weekend of the three Whelahan brothers. They have confirmed their intentions not to train again with the senior team until relationships with the team management are improved. There is particular upset about the treatment of Simon Whelahan.

When contacted last night the Whelahan household in Birr confirmed that all three brothers - Brian, Simon and Barry - had not trained with the Offaly panel as expected on Saturday morning. They would also continue to stay away from training until certain aspects of the treatment from the management were addressed.

As of last night, however, there were no moves being made to rectify the situation. Christy Todd, secretary of the Offaly County Board, confirmed the players had been absent from training but said the matter was between the players and the management.

The problems, though, had been brewing for the past few weeks and reached a head at a practice game with Waterford on Thursday night. It is reported that Simon Whelahan was not getting his chance to play a part in the game, and at one point was asked to act as an umpire.

Barry Whelahan, the youngest of the three brothers, was particularly disheartened by the way Simon was being treated, and departed from the game with his older brother. Brian, eldest of the three and the only playing member of the GAA's team of the millennium, then followed out the two in similar protest.

It makes for an anxious few days for Offaly manager Mike McNamara and his fellow selectors as he prepares his team for Thursday evening's All-Ireland qualifier against Limerick in Thurles.

Both Brian, in the defence, and Barry at midfield would have been certain to start in that game, with Simon likely to be used as a substitute.

Yet it is Simon's role as a substitute that is at the heart of the dispute. Although he did appear as a substitute in Offaly's two championship games to date - firstly in the Leinster semi-final loss to Wexford, and then in their first qualifier win over Dublin - it is understood that he is not satisfied with his opportunities to get into the starting line-up.

All three Whelahan brothers played a part in Birr's most recent success in the All-Ireland club championship, but Simon is the only one who has struggled to hold down a starting place with Offaly.

Brian, however, had already contemplated opting out of intercounty hurling for different reasons, citing possible lack of hunger. Following discussions with McNamara he decided to commit for another season, but it appears now as if that decision to play out the summer might be cut short.