Heffernan seeking redemption in Cork

LAST year Robert Heffernan had to watch from the stands as his Irish international team-mate, Jamie Costin (West Waterford), claimed the title and the national 3,000m record at Cork City Sports so it is hardly surprising that the Togher man wants to return and reclaim the limelight at the CIT Track on July 2.

Heffernan, who was injured last year, went on to retain his national track title at Santry a couple of weeks later and then sprang two surprise fourths in the 20k and 50k walks at the European championships in Barcelona to establish his place among the potential medallists for next year’s Olympic Games.

London 2012 was foremost on his mind at Cork City Hall yesterday when he joined the organisers to launch the Irish athletics showpiece but he insisted that he wanted to put the record straight before his Cork fans.

“I like the excitement in Cork,” he said, reflecting on two years ago when he knocked 13 seconds off the national record and failed by just .08 of a second to peg back the Mexican, Eder Sanchez, who set a world best. The crowd makes it. Obviously the world championships is the target this year but I’m excited about walking in Cork.”

Coming off a couple of 20k races — each well inside the Olympic qualifying standard — he resisted the temptation to try out the Olympic course in London a couple of weeks ago.

“I had my flights booked, booked the hotel, had everything organised,” he said. However, he decided the time off would serve him better. “Marian went to Geneva for a run and I was at home watching the Champions League final and I felt I needed a break. I started back on Monday, went down to John Buckley’s Race on the Tuesday night, after taking most of the week off, and set my fastest 5k time ever on the road — 19:07. Looking back I was just tired at the European Cup. I needed that break.”

World silver medallist, Olive Loughnane, will also be in action at the CIT Track while Paul Hession is expected to renew rivalry with Brendan Christian (Antigua & Barbados). The duo dead finished in a dead heat in a thrilling 200m last year.

Canadian sprinter Jared Connaughton, whose grand parents are Irish, returns and Adrian Griffith (Bahamas) and Britain’s Christian Malcolm are others likely to figure over the 100m/200m.

The middle distance races are also shaping up well while the women’s events will see European Cup junior bronze medallist, Kate Veale, competing against Olive Loughnane in the walk. Robert Heffernan’s wife, Marian, will face a strong field in the 400m while Kelly Proper is again set to double up in the long jump and 200m while Joan Healy from Bandon is also confirmed for the sprints.

Mary Cullen (North Sligo) returns for the women’s 1,500m.