Rob Heffernan, one of the first Irish athletes in action at the Europan Athletics Championships in Barcelona, was just 11 seconds away from winning a bronze medal in the 20km walk.

Ireland's Robert Heffernan battled his way to a sixth place finish in the 20 kilometre race walk final in Osaka earlier this morning to continue the feel-good vibe in the Irish camp at the 2007 IAAF World Athletics Championship.

Nineteen-year-old Limerick southpaw Andy Lee has earned a medal at the European Championships in Pula, Croatia this evening.