Colm Whelan
{{Short description|Irish footballer}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Colm Whelan
| full_name =
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|2000|6|29}}
| birth_place = Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Ireland
| position = Striker
| currentclub = Bohemians
| clubnumber = 9
| youthyears1 = –2016
| youthclubs1 = Thomastown United
| youthyears2 = 2016–2019
| youthclubs2 = Waterford
| years1 = 2017–2019 | clubs1 = Waterford | caps1 = 1 | goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2020–2022 | clubs2 = UCD | caps2 = 58 | goals2 = 37
| years3 = 2023–2024 | clubs3 = Derry City | caps3 = 13 | goals3 = 3
| years4 = 2025– | clubs4 = Bohemians | caps4 = 11 | goals4 = 4
| nationalyears1 = 2021
| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U21
| nationalcaps1 = 3
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| club-update = 11:57, 23 April 2025 (UTC)
| ntupdate = 17:15, 15 January 2025 (UTC)
}}
Colm Whelan (born 29 June 2000) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a striker for League of Ireland Premier Division club Bohemians. His previous clubs are Waterford, UCD and Derry City.
Career
=Youth career=
A native of Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Whelan began playing with his local club Thomastown United, before moving to the academy of Waterford in 2016, where he played for the under 17 side for two seasons before making his first team debut.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/player/11122075/colm_whelan/|title=Colm Whelan | Stats | History | Career Details | Images | extratime.com - The Home of Irish Football - Extratime.com|website=www.extratime.com}}
=Waterford=
On 7 October 2017, Whelan made his senior debut for Waterford in the final game of the season in a 2–1 loss away to Cobh Ramblers as his side won the 2017 League of Ireland First Division title to gain promotion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/first-division-wrap-sse-airtricity-league-cobh-waterford-3635469-Oct2017/|title=Consolation for Cobh as they ensure champions Waterford finish on losing note|first=Emma|last=Duffy|date=October 7, 2017|website=The 42}} The club's promotion to the League of Ireland Premier Division proved to be a hindrance to Whelan's game time, as he only made 2 appearance in 2018, a 1–0 loss away to Sligo Rovers{{Cite web|url=https://waterfordfc.ie/2018/05/09/report-sligo-rovers-1-0-waterford-fc/|title=REPORT: Sligo Rovers 1-0 Waterford FC|first=Waterford|last=FC|date=May 9, 2018}} and a 3–0 loss to Cork City,{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/fixtures/2018-munster-senior-cup-semi-finals/waterford-v-cork-city/33285/4/report/|title=MSC Report: Cork City 3 - 0 Waterford FC|website=extratime.com}} before making 1 final appearance for the club in 2019, in a 3–1 win over Heart of Midlothian Colts in the Scottish Challenge Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://waterfordfc.ie/2019/09/06/report-waterford-fc-3-1-hearts-colts/|title=REPORT: Waterford FC 3-1 Hearts Colts|first=Waterford|last=FC|date=September 6, 2019}}
=UCD=
Whelan signed for League of Ireland First Division club UCD ahead of the 2020 season and scored on his debut on 16 February 2020 in a 1–1 draw away to Wexford at Ferrycarrig Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2020/02/22/gallagher-debuts-as-ucd-rocked-by-late-wexford-equaliser/amp/|title=Gallagher debuts as UCD rocked by late Wexford equaliser|first=Chris|last=McNulty|date=February 22, 2020|website=Donegal Daily}} Whelan had an impressive first full season at senior level, scoring 15 goals in 21 appearances in all competitions.{{Cite web|url=https://ie.soccerway.com/players/colm-whelan/498292/|title=Republic of Ireland - C. Whelan - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=ie.soccerway.com}} The 2021 season proved to be even more impressive, both individually and collectively, as scored 25 goals in 31 games in all competitions, culminating on 26 November 2021 with Whelan scoring the winner in a 2–1 victory over his former club Waterford in the League of Ireland Promotion/Relegation Playoff Final at Richmond Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/ucd-waterford-report-5613512-Nov2021/|title=Joy for UCD as they beat {{as written|beleag|ured [sic]}} Waterford to seal Premier Division status|first=Paul|last=Fennessy|date=November 26, 2021|website=The 42}} Whelan was named League of Ireland Player of the Month for November 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/ucds-colm-whelan-honoured-to-be-novembers-player-of-the-month-after-his-club-gains-promotion/41126310.html|title=UCD's Colm Whelan 'honoured' to be November's player of the month after his club gains promotion|date=December 7, 2021|website=Irish Independent}}
On 21 December 2021, following the club's promotion, Whelan turned down offers from elsewhere within the league, to sign a new contract with UCD in order to complete his degree at the college.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/ireland-u-21-star-colm-whelan-remaining-on-board-with-ucd/41129129.html|title=Ireland U-21 star Colm Whelan remaining on board with UCD|date=December 8, 2021|website=Irish Independent}} Whelan scored 4 goals in 15 games in the first half of the 2022 season, with his performances attracting interest of several English clubs including Lincoln City, but an Anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in a 1–0 win away to Finn Harps on 13 May 2022 scuppered any move for the striker in the short term.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/ucd-striker-colm-whelan-puts-summer-move-on-hold-after-suffering-cruciate-ligament-injury/b41658714.html|title=UCD striker Colm Whelan puts summer move on hold after suffering cruciate ligament injury|date=May 17, 2022|website=Irish Independent}}
=Derry City=
On 30 November 2022, Whelan signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club Derry City on a 2-year contract.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/derry-city-confirm-signing-of-ucd-striker-colm-whelan/42186057.html|title=Derry City confirm signing of UCD striker Colm Whelan|date=November 30, 2022|website=Irish Independent}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/1130/1339255-derry-complete-signing-of-ucds-colm-whelan/|title=Derry complete signing of UCD's Colm Whelan|date=November 30, 2022|via=www.rte.ie}} Still injured upon signing, he had to wait until 21 April 2023 for his debut, which came in a 3–1 win away to Cork City in which Whelan scored his side's third goal of the game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishnews.com/sport/footballsoccer/2023/04/23/news/derry_city-3229470/|title=Ruaidhrí Higgins delighted to see Colm Whelan mark long-awaited return with a goal|date=April 23, 2023|website=The Irish News}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/colm-whelan-makes-instant-impact-on-derry-city-debut-as-candy-stripes-return-to-winning-ways-in-cork-4114752|title=Collie Whelan makes instant impact on Derry City debut at Turner's Cross|date=April 21, 2023|website=Derry Journal}}{{Cite web|url=https://scoreline.ie/watch-kilkennys-colm-whelan-makes-derry-debut-scores-cracker-in-3-1-win-over-cork-city/|title=Watch: Kilkenny's Colm Whelan makes Derry debut, scores cracker in 3-1 win over Cork City|first=Ken|last=McGuire|date=April 22, 2023}} Having also scored on his second appearance for the club in a 2–0 win at home to St Patrick's Athletic, disaster struck again on 1 May 2023, when Whelan suffered a second Anterior cruciate ligament injury in the space of 12 months in a 2–0 loss to Shamrock Rovers at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, in just his third appearance for the club.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/derry-city-forward-colm-whelan-out-for-season-with-second-acl-injury/a1456286425.html|title=Derry City forward Colm Whelan out for season with second ACL injury|date=June 8, 2023|website=Irish Independent}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65837037.amp|title=Colm Whelan: Candystripes striker ruled out for rest of season|date=June 7, 2023|website=BBC Sport}} Whelan made his return from injury on 28 June 2024, in a 5–1 win over Drogheda United.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/its-been-an-awful-time-for-him-for-the-last-couple-of-years-derry-city-relief-as-colm-whelan-ends-14-month-injury-absence/a1185625190.html|title='It's been an awful time for him for the last couple of years' – Derry City relief as Colm Whelan ends 14-month injury absence|date=June 30, 2024|website=Irish Independent}} On 10 November 2024, Whelan came off the bench in the 2024 FAI Cup final in a 2–0 defeat to Drogheda United at the Aviva Stadium in what turned out to be his final game for the club.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2024/1110/1480128-drogheda-outsmart-derry-to-land-second-fai-cup/|title=Drogheda outsmart Derry to land second FAI Cup|first=Peter|last=Branigan|date=November 10, 2024|via=www.rte.ie}}
=Bohemians=
On 13 November 2024, Whelan signed a multi-year contract with Bohemians ahead of their 2025 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.leagueofireland.ie/news/bohemians-sign-colm-whelan-derry-city/|title=Bohemians sign Colm Whelan from Derry City|website=www.leagueofireland.ie}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/bohemians-snatched-colm-whelan-away-34103735.amp|title=Striker joins Bohs on a multi-year deal.|first=Garry|last=Doyle|date=November 13, 2024|website=Irish Mirror}}{{Cite web|url=https://kclr96fm.com/colm-whelan-joins-bohemians-on-multi-year-deal-im-really-looking-forward-to-getting-started/|title=Colm Whelan Joins Bohemians on Multi-Year Deal: "I'm Really Looking Forward to Getting Started"|first=Shane|last=O'Keeffe|date=November 14, 2024|website=KCLR 96FM}} He made his debut for the club against Shamrock Rovers, replacing Lys Mousset from the bench in a 1–0 win at the Aviva Stadium on 16 February 2025.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2025/02/16/bohemians-v-shamrock-rovers-live-score-updates-league-of-ireland-premier-division/|title=Bohemians 1 Shamrock Rovers 0 FT as it happened: Tierney goal gives Bohs victory|website=The Irish Times}} On 7 March 2025, he scored his first goals for the club in a 3–0 win away to Waterford, in which he scored hat-trick against his former club, including 2 penalties.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/colm-whelan-hat-trick-inspires-bohemians-to-valuable-victory-in-waterford/a840456499.html|title=Colm Whelan hat-trick inspires Bohemians to valuable victory in Waterford|date=March 7, 2025|website=www.independent.ie}}
International career
Whelan received his first call up to the Republic of Ireland U21 team in May 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/sport/635941/whelan-earns-first-call-up-to-republic-of-ireland-under-21-squad.html|title=Kilkenny's Colm Whelan earns first call up to Republic of Ireland Under 21 squad|first=Robert|last=Cribbin|date=May 25, 2021|website=www.kilkennypeople.ie}} He made his debut for the side on 9 September 2021, scoring in a 1–1 draw away to Luxembourg U21.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2021/0907/1245238-ireland-u21s-held-in-luxembourg-after-late-penalty/|title=Ireland U-21s held in Luxembourg after late penalty|date=September 7, 2021|via=www.rte.ie}} On 12 November 2021, his third and final appearance for the side was his first start at international level, in a 2–0 loss at home to Italy U21.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dublinlive.ie/sport/soccer/ucds-colm-whelan-handed-first-22154862.amp|title=UCD's Colm Whelan handed first start for crunch U21 Euro qualifier with Italy|first=David|last=Donnelly|date=November 12, 2021|website=Dublin Live}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played on 21 April 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/colm-whelan/498292/|title=Republic of Ireland - C. Whelan - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=ie.soccerway.com}}
| class=wikitable style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|National Cup{{efn|Includes FAI Cup}} !colspan=2|League Cup{{efn|Includes League of Ireland Cup}} !colspan=2|Europe !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|Waterford
|2017 |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0{{efn|Appearance(s) in the Munster Senior Cup|name=statsMSC}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2018
|rowspan="2"|LOI Premier Division |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=statsMSC}} | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2019
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|Appearance(s) in the Scottish Challenge Cup|name=statsSCC}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="4"|UCD
|2020 |rowspan="2"|LOI First Division |19 | 15 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|Appearance in the 2020 League of Ireland Promotion/Relegation Playoffs}} | 0 | 21 | 15 | |||
| 2021
|24 | 18 | 3 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|Appearances in the 2021 League of Ireland Promotion/Relegation Playoffs}} | 4 | 31 | 25 | |||
| 2022
|15 | 4 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0{{efn|Appearances in the 2022 League of Ireland Promotion/Relegation Playoff}} | 0 | 15 | 4 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!58 | 37 | 4 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 4 | 67 | 44 | |||
| rowspan="3"|Derry City
|2023 |rowspan="2"|LOI Premier Division |3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0{{efn|Appearance(s) in the UEFA Europa Conference League}} | 0 | 0{{efn|Appearance in the President of Ireland's Cup|name=statsPOIC}} | 0 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2024
|10 | 1 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|Appearance(s) in the UEFA Conference League}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 1 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!13 | 3 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 3 | ||
| Bohemians
|2025 |11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0{{efn|Appearance(s) in the Leinster Senior Cup|name=statsLSC}} | 0 | 11 | 4 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!83 | 44 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 90 | 51 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
=Club=
;Waterford
;Derry City
=Individual=
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.extratime.com/player/11122075/colm_whelan/ Colm Whelan Extratime.com Profile]
{{Bohemian F.C. squad}}
{{League of Ireland First Division top scorers}}
{{2021 PFAI League of Ireland First Division Team of the Year}}
{{2020 PFAI League of Ireland First Division Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whelan, Colm}}
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Waterford F.C. players
Category:University College Dublin A.F.C. players
Category:Derry City F.C. players
Category:Bohemian F.C. players
Category:League of Ireland players
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Association footballers from County Kilkenny
Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen
Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's under-21 international footballers