Heffernan elated after claiming Athlete of the Year award

Robert Heffernan crowned a fairytale season when he was named Athlete of the Year at the National Athletics Awards at the Crowne Plaza in Dublin yesterday.

Heffernan, who became only the third Irish competitor to win a world title when walking to 50km gold in Moscow in August, was elated and still taken aback at his achievement this summer.

“To be up here on stage with Ronnie Delany and Eamonn Coghlan, to be in that category now as a world champion is unreal,” said Heffernan upon receiving his award.