'Humbled' Whelan ready to get career back on track with Bohemians

Colm Whelan admits the past few years of his career have been ‘humbling’, as he prepares to begin a new chapter with Bohemians.

The striker was unveiled as the new striker at Dalymount Park just three days after Derry City’s season ended with their FAI Cup final defeat to Drogheda United at the Aviva Stadium. In what was a rather turbulent few days for the City fans, Whelan’s departure was the first of four exits at the club, with McEleney brothers Shane and Patrick also leaving, for Glentoran and Ballymena United respectively, while Ruaidhri Higgins’ time as manager also came to an end.

For Whelan though, it is about focusing on the future and not the past, which has been especially difficult for the young striker, who was unable to show his best at the Brandywell, due to suffering successive ACL injuries. Whelan made just 18 appearances for Derry City in all, scoring three goals.

Whelan said: “I’m delighted to get it over the line, and I am really looking forward to getting started.

“Bohs is a good fit for me and having spoken with Rennie, he was a big sway in me coming here. I have a good relationship with him already,” he explained. “He likes me and trusts me, so I am really looking forward to it.

“I’ve had a tough couple of years but that humbles you, and makes you work hard to get back out on the pitch.

“Over the past few months, I’ve played a good few minutes with Derry City, and now I’m looking forward to getting more, and trying to win games for Bohs.”

Reynolds, who knows the striker well due to his time with the Republic of Ireland U21s and Derry City, knows exactly what he is getting in Whelan.

“Colly is an outstanding talent with a real eye for goal and I am delighted to have him on board as our No 9 for next season,” he said.

“Colly is a player that I had with Waterford, at Derry City and worked with for the Ireland U21s. I have a long connection with him and I know how good a player he can be.

“His link-up play is good, and he is a player who just wants to score goals, and I think he is a massive signing for the club.

“He has been back playing for four or five months now after his injury. That time back will stand to him and I feel that with a strong pre-season under his belt and a run of games, he will be a serious asset to this club.”

While things are currently in limbo at Derry City, other clubs are already busy planning ahead for next season, and Reynolds, whose Bohemians side underachieved in 2024, is wasting no time, also adding talented midfielder Niall Morahan from Sligo Rovers.

The Sligo captain played a big part in what was a good season for the Bit O’Red, and his loss is undoubtedly a big one for John Russell and the Sligo fans.

“This is another big coup for us,” Reynolds said. “Niall is a really exciting player, a real leader and he will be a massive addition to our squad, giving us real options and competition in midfield.

“His age profile is perfect for the club, he’s 24 years of age, captain of Sligo Rovers last year, so has the leadership qualities we need to push on together as a group.

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“It’s a big move for him to come to Bohemians after so many years with Sligo Rovers, so I am delighted that we have been able to bring him to the club and that he believes in what we are trying to achieve here.

“He’s the type of midfielder that we were really missing at times this season due to injuries to certain players, and I believe he is going to cement himself as a real fans’ favourite at Dalymount Park.

“Despite still being young, he knows this league inside out, and he has a lot of experience under his belt.

“He played nearly every minute for Sligo this year and had a pivotal role in the improvements they made this year. We can’t wait to get working with him.”