 During this time he helped St. Pat's win the 1958–59 and 1960–61 FAI Cup finals and the 1959–60 League of Ireland Shield.Whelan was awarded a benefit game in May 1963 and  in May 1965 he guested for Shamrock Rovers in another benefit game .A run of injuries, effectively ended his St. Pat's career but he subsequently joined Drogheda for a further six seasons, helping them reach the 1970–71 FAI Cup final.