Remembering 'Busby Babe' Whelan and his GAA connection
February 06, 2021
Billy (Liam) Whelan, from Cabra on Dublin's northside, sadly lost his life in the Munich Air Disaster.
This day 63 years ago, eight Manchester United players lost their lives in the Munich Air Disaster.
One of them was 22-year-old Dubliner Billy (Liam) Whelan, who is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery. Billy began his soccer career with Home Farm before joining United where he scored 52 goals in four seasons. His best season with Matt Busby's men came in 1956-67 when he bagged 33 goals in all competitions, including 26 in the league as United won their second successive Division 1 league title and reached the semi-finals of the European and FA Cup.
He also won four Irish caps in a career which was tragically cut short.
It's worth remembering on this sad anniversary that Billy was a talented GAA player in his younger days, and won a schools medal with his alma mater St. Peter's in Phibsboro.
In 2006, the railway bridge on Fassaugh Road/Dowth Avenue junction in Cabra was renamed in his honour after strong lobbying by members of the local GAA club, Naomh Fionnbarra. The bridge is close to Dalymount Park and St. Attracta Road, the street in which he was born.
A Manchester United membership card owned by Billy still takes pride of place in the Naomh Fionnbarra clubhouse.
