McIntyre leaves the door open for Whelahan

Hurling News: While doubts still remain over the future intercounty career of Offaly hurler Brian Whelahan, it emerged last night that manager John McIntyre had left the door open for any change of heart, and Whelahan had been convinced by friends and family to keep that option alive for at least another few weeks.

Speaking on RTÉ radio last night, Whelahan confirmed that he had informed McIntyre on Monday that he wouldn't be returning to the Offaly panel ahead of the championship, which effectively marked the end of his great career.

But as word of that retirement spread yesterday he suddenly found himself inclined to revisit the matter.

Yet he was far from indicating a total change of heart: "That's the six marker," said Whelahan, "but I did confirm to John McIntyre that I wouldn't be rejoining the Offaly panel this year, and after a lengthy conversation, and a very good conversation, John offered a sort of lifeline, and said if club championship form was good I would be no stranger to his door, that the situation could always be reassessed.

"That was the terms we left on. It's still up in the air a little bit, and no one ever wants to call time on their intercounty career or their sporting career. And that could be said about myself.

"But it's like everything else. Everything must come to an end at some time and I would presume that over the next couple of weeks we'll put a definite answer on all that."

Whelahan also denied all suggestions of a rift with McIntyre. Instead he'll now give himself sufficient time to see how he progresses in local club games with Birr.

He indicated that he was still motivated to get himself in better shape and make a greater effort at club level over the coming weeks.

Although he turns 34 next August, Whelahan is still more than a year younger than DJ Carey, who again illustrated the potential for longevity by scoring 1-3 for Kilkenny last Sunday.

For now then it remains to be seen if Whelahan will yet feature for Offaly in the Leinster semi-final against Kilkenny on June 12th - but the likelihood is a final decision on his future will be made long before then.

It's no secret that McIntyre was keeping in close touch with Whelahan over the winter and was keen to have him back and it's now clear that the player himself, despite his 15-year career with Offaly, did not want to walk away lightly from the scene that he so much enjoyed and cherished.

Whelahan is one of the most decorated hurlers in the history of the game and is the only player in the modern era to get a place in the Team of the Century in his favoured wing-back position where he played most of his finest hurling.