Whelahan writes new chapter in Birr saga

Defending an All-Ireland club title is a gruelling business and Ballyhale Shamrocks were famously missing two players who had been player and young player of the year 12 months ago and All Stars for the past two seasons but still there were reasons to doubt Birr.

For all their glittering history, intimations of decline since the club's last All-Ireland win in 2003 were evident.

Throw in the heavy beating they received from Ballyhale in last year's Leinster final and Sunday's semi-final looked beyond the Offaly champions despite the holders' travails.

But the All-Ireland champions ran out of steam and Birr were well able to take advantage. After last year's defeat Joe Errity retired, leaving Brian Whelahan as the only survivor of the team that won Leinster 16 years ago.

"They were well worth their win last year," said Whelahan. "In fact, we got a goal at the end to take the really bad look off it so to go to Nowlan Park and get the win made it all the sweeter for us."

Even clubs as successful as Birr - they and Ballyhale coincidentally top the All-Ireland roll of honour with four each - have to face the reality of down periods but the club's regeneration has been impressive. Only half of the side that won the most recent All-Ireland five seasons ago remains.

"There are some very fine hurlers coming through," according to Whelahan, "but it takes time to find your feet when it comes to carrying the mantle. These are the guys who will be writing the next chapter and yesterday was a start for them."

Sensing they had a chance of avenging last year's defeat, Birr were concerned about preparation having got a bye to the semi-final whereas their opponents at least had a - surprisingly vigorous - match against Carlow champions Mount Leinster Rangers.

"We'd no game between the county final and Sunday because we couldn't even get a practice match," said Whelahan. "A lot of clubs aren't back and the college teams were otherwise engaged.

"Mount Leinster gave Ballyhale a jolt but I paid no attention to that. They'd just played the Kilkenny final and had the celebrations - it was a great opportunity to be meeting them. For Ballyhale it was the therapy game they needed."

The landscape changes considerably for Birr in next month's final. Instead of being outsiders they will be hot favourites against Dublin's Ballyboden, who have come through the other side of the draw. It will be Birr's first final against a club from Dublin and Whelahan is wary about the opposition.

"They have had two good games and coming through a test like Camross copper-fastens you for a final. Many of the Ballyboden lads would have played underage against Offaly and with great success so they'd have no fear of playing us."

The former hurler of the year and the only 21st century player to have been selected for the Team of the Millennium plays an adaptable role in the team. Although he generally lines out in the famous number five jersey, his presence is more regularly felt in the forwards although he has played the occasional role in defence during this campaign.

In the county final against Coolderry he scored 10 points from centre forward and added two more at the weekend.

He's 36 this year and son Aaron is on the panel with him. As he contemplates the few months that could make him the only player in history to win five All-Ireland club medals, he's comfortable with the progress and enjoying his new role on the field.

"It takes a bit of the pressure off not having to chase young fellas around but I still feel it the next day."