Billy Whelan

Whelan began his career with Home Farm before joining Manchester United as an 18-year-old in 1953. He was capped four times for the Republic of Ireland national team (including a surprising 4–1 victory against Holland in Rotterdam in 1956) but did not score. His brother John played for Shamrock Rovers and Drumcondra and his eldest brother Christy played for Transport. He made his first appearance for United during the 1954–55 season and quickly became a regular first-team player, and went on to make 98 first-team appearances in four seasons at United, scoring 52 goals. He was United's top scorer in the 1956–57 season, scoring 26 goals in the First Division and 33 in all competitions as United won their second successive league title and reached the semi-finals of the European Cup. He also gave a commanding display in the 1957 FA Cup final despite losing 2–1 to Aston Villa. Such was the strength of the competition in the United first team that he was soon being kept out of the side by Bobby Charlton. He travelled with the United team to Belgrade for the fateful European Cup tie against Red Star Belgrade, the day before the Munich air disaster, but did not play in the game.

On 8 December 2006, the railway bridge on Fassaugh Road/Dowth Avenue junction in Cabra, Dublin 7, close to Dalymount Park was renamed in his honour. The campaign to have the bridge renamed was initiated and organised by members of the Cabra GAA club, Naomh Fionbarra and sanctioned by Dublin City Council in early 2006. It is close to St Attracta Road, the street in which he was born. The unveiling ceremony was performed by Whelan's Manchester United teammate at the time of the air crash, Sir Bobby Charlton. On 4 February 2008, the Irish national postal body An Post issued a 55c postage stamp for the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster showing a photo of Liam Whelan. Whelan is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.

Manchester United

Football League First Division: 1955–56, 1956–57 FA Charity Shield: 1956, 1957 FA Cup runner-up: 1956–57