Whelahan's sons – Brian, Simon and Barry – would all experience success with Birr and with Offaly on the inter-county scene.
Whelahan captured a second Leinster club medal in 1972; however, Glen Rovers accounted for the Offaly side in the All-Ireland final once again.
He spent thirteen years with the senior inter-county team; however, it was a time when Offaly hurling was unfashionable and Whelahan never had any major success.
After his playing career came to an end Whelahan maintained a keen interest in the game of hurling as a coach and manager.
[2] Whelahan resigned as Birr manager after the club failed to win a sixth county title in-a-row in 2004.
[3] At county level Whelahan was one of the most successful minor hurling managers of them all, leading Offaly to All-Ireland titles in 1986, 1987 and 1989.