Heffernan collects Olympic reward

After producing the top two performances of the Irish athletics team at the London 2012 Olympics it was little surprise Rob Heffernan scooped the Cork City Sports Athlete of the Year award, nonetheless the race walker admitted he was delighted with the recognition after a year of “glory and heartache”.

Competing in his fourth Olympics, Heffernan was ninth in the 20km walk before finishing fourth in the 50km race with a time that smashed the Irish record by seven minutes and 36 seconds.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony at the River Lee Hotel yesterday Heffernan admitted it was devastating to come so close to a medal only to fall short but insisted he remains positive.