Heffernan to lead Ireland medal charge to Zurich

Athletics Ireland high performance manager Kevin Ankrom is hanging his hopes on Robert Heffernan winning a medal in the 50km race walk at the European Championships in Zurich.

Thirty Irish athletes were named on the team yesterday in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin but the weight of expectation sat heaviest on one man from Cork.

“Rob’s a world champion,” said Ankrom. “You would have to put that expectation on him. You’ve got a team of 30 that’s quite young for the most part.