Bohemians hopeful of completing move for Derry City star Colm Whelan after injury-ravaged spell with FAI Cup finalists

BOHEMIANS are hoping to tie up a deal to land Derry City striker Colm Whelan.

Whelan, 24, appeared as a substitute in Sunday’s FAI Cup final defeat to Drogheda United.

1 Colm Whelan of Derry City in action against Darragh Markey of Drogheda United during the Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup Final Credit: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

It was only his 18th outing – all but two of which have been off the bench - for the Candystripes since joining UCD two years ago.

He was rehabbing from an ACL when he joined the club and suffered the same injury in just his third game back, in May 2023, having scored in his first two games.

The Kilkenny man is one of several players in Ruaidhri Higgins’ squad who is out of contract and is expected to move on after a disappointing season which culminated with the weekend loss.

Bohs boss Alan Reynolds is well aware of Whelan having given him his first taste of senior football with Waterford in July 2017, shortly after the player's 17th birthday.

He later worked with him in the Ireland under-21s in his role as Jim Crawford’s assistant and was also Higgins’ no 2 when Derry beat off competition from a host of clubs to land Whelan’s signature.

Whelan made his latest comeback in June but started just two games, against Dundalk – in which he scored – and Shelbourne, both over the last month.

Bohs brought in Stet Reinkort and Filip Piszczek before the start of this season in a bid to fill the void left by Jonathan Afolabi’s departure for Belgian club Kortrijk.

But the Estonian was released during the summer with the Pole let go at the end of a campaign in which attacking midfielder James Clarke was frequently used to lead the line.

A fully fit Whelan would strengthen their forward line whilst – after two lengthy injuries – the player could benefit from a fresh start and being away from Derry’s much-maligned artificial surface.

Bohs are also likely to sign a second striker. Last year, they were keen on Frantz Pierrot who instead moved to Drogheda United from Athlone Town.

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In an interview prior to the Cup final, the Haitian suggested there had been no discussions with Drogheda about extending his stay at Weavers Park.

Despite their Cup win – which guarantees them a minimum of €525,000 in Uefa prize money – the Boynesiders cannot really plan for next season until after Saturday’s promotion-relegation play-off against Bray Wanderers.

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