Glenn Whelan, a midfielder with Cardinal Molloy H.S. in Queens and B.W. Gottschee, is related to neither man and nor has he any connection to the Stoke City and Ireland star who shares his first and last name. But he is making a big impact in the beautiful game and both his parents are from the Fair City.
The 17-year-old's championship winning performances won plaudits from both the Daily News and the New York Post, the latter calling him a "skilled and dominant center midfielder." He has been named New York City High School Player of the Year and Catholic High School Player of the Year.
"When he was invited at age 12 for trials for the national team, we realized that he was better than average," said his mother Eilis Whelan, who emigrated from Palmerstown in Dublin in 1986. (Her husband, Gerry, who played schoolboy soccer in Dublin, is from Raheny.)
"He's been scouted by colleges at the moment," said Whelan, who also has two daughters, Kelly, 14, and 10-year-old Aisling.
Indeed, Glenn Whelan has already had offers, but they are too far from home, for now.
As for traveling later: "He would definitely go to England, if he was asked," said Forest Hills resident Eilis Whelan. "His dream is to become a professional."
