Cha Whelan

Cha Whelan, born Jarlath Whelan and living from 7 September 1939 to 22 March 1996, was an Irish hurler from Thomastown, County Kilkenny, who played as a full-back for the Kilkenny and London senior teams. He first played hurling during his school days and, though he never played minor hurling at inter-county level, arrived on the scene at twenty-one with his senior debut in the 1960 to 61 National Hurling League. He later played with London but returned to Kilkenny and made several cameo appearances over four years, winning one All-Ireland medal and one Leinster medal on the field of play. At club level he began and ended his career with Thomastown, also played with Faughs in Dublin and won a championship medal with Seán McDermott's in London. He retired after winning a second All-Ireland medal as a non-playing substitute in the 1967 championship.