Heffernan hopes for medal spot

ROBERT HEFFERNAN could get close to a medal if everything goes well at the European Race-Walking Cup in Leamington Spa tomorrow.

The Corkman, having achieved the World Championship and Olympic qualifying standard, admits he can challenge for a medal.

“It is probably the first time I have gone into this race fully fit,” he said. “And if I can maintain my progression then I would like to think I can challenge for a medal.”

On his most recent outing he was close to a possible gold medal in San Giovanni when he got three red cards and was disqualified.

He had just overtaken Italy’s Olympic champion Ivano Brugnetti for second place and was opening up a big lead over him.

“I honestly felt I was going to win the race,” he said. “I was going really well and then came the two red cards from the Italian judges and a third from a Portuguese judge.”

He was gutted by the disqualification as he felt his form was good and his coach, triple Olympic gold medallist Robert Korzeniowski, was stunned.

“He told me that it was the best he had ever seen me walk,” Heffernan said on reflection.

“But you put those things behind you and get on with it and hope it does not happen again.”

After achieving his Olympic standard in Shenzen in March, he trained with European champion Francisco Fernandez in Morocco, where they were joined by Colin Griffin, who had achieved Olympic qualification at 50k, and Jamie Costin.

If Costin lined up tomorrow alongside Heffernan and Griffin, who is ranked No 2 in Europe over 50k following his stunning breakthrough in Dudince, they would have a big chance of getting team medals, but the west Waterford athlete will compete over 50k in pursuit of his Olympic standard.

Olive Loughnane, who also has her Olympic standard, will be Ireland’s sole representative in the women’s 20k following the retirement of former world silver medallist Gillian O’Sullivan and the withdrawal of her younger sister Ann through injury.

Irish representatives in Leamington: Senior Men, 20km Robert Heffernan, Colin Griffin and Jeff Cassin; Senior Men 50km, Jamie Costin; Senior Women 20km, Olive Loughnane; Junior Women 10km, Laura Reynolds; Junior Men 10km, Paul Fitzpatrick.