It is now acknowledged that the late Patrick Whelan, Killeevan, was one of the stalwarts of the GAA in Ulster during its formative years, serving as president of the Ulster Council from 1909 to 1918 and in that time laying the foundations that were to later see the Ulster Council become the vibrant force that it is within the Association.

Patrick Whelan was Monaghan's first representative on the Ulster Council, joining the membership in 1904 and then moving on to high office from where he had such an influence on so many major events that helped build the fledgling association over the years.
He was instrumental in securing rail travel for GAA followers on Sundays, he was one of the signatories to the purchase of Croke Park and was one of the first Trustees of the Association, but it was for his work in developing the Ulster Council from very tentative beginnings that he is best remembered.
At local level he was instrumental in the formation of the present Killeevan Sarsfields club with the amalgamation of the two clubs at the extremes of the parish, Greenans Cross Tir na nOgs and Ture Davitt's but ultimately he was to leave the GAA in somewhat disappointing circumstances when he fell victim to a Central Council ruling regarding people who had taken the Oath of Allegiance.
As a Justice of the Peace Patrick Whelan had taken the Oath of Allegiance and was therefore not returned to office at the Ulster Convention at the end of 1918. Following his death he lay in an unmarked grave in Aghabog Cemetery for a number of decades before good detective work by Aghabog's John Connolly had his last resting place identified and a headstone commemorating him was unveiled in Ulster Centenary Year, 2003.
A decision was then taken by the Ulster Council that as part of the 125 celebrations, plaques would be erected to commemorate all those who had served as President or Secretary of the Council but due to extenuating circumstances the plaque commemorating Patrick Whelan's contribution as President was not unveiled until Friday evening last (25 February 2011) when the current President of the Council Aogan Farrell did the honours at the Killeevan Sarsfields club rooms.
Speaking at the unveiling Aogan Farrell spoke of the contribution that Patrick Whelan had made and also spoke of the importance of planning, of clubs having their own Strategic Development plan in place. He went on to compliment the club on the facilities that they had developed and wished them success in the future. Speaking on behalf of the club vice-chairman Patrick O'Donnell thanked the Ulster Council President for attending and performing the unveiling ceremony. Tweet

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