Eamonn Coghlan last night described Robert Heffernan’s 50km race walk win as “a great way to celebrate” his world championships triumph on the 30th anniversary of his 5,000m gold in Helsinki.

Galway’s Paul Hession was named Athlete of the Year at tonight’s National Athletics Awards in Dublin.

TEACHERS with coaching qualifications should be paid if they coach pupils or students after school hours, according to former world champion Eamonn Coghlan.