Rob Heffernan finally receives his just reward - an Olympic medal

At some point between his fourth place finish on London’s Mall and the couple of quiet drinks he enjoyed in Bag O’Nail’s on the evening of August 11, 2012, Athletics Ireland team manager Patsy McGonagle turned to Rob Heffernan and issued the now prophetic words, ‘this ain’t over’.

Four years on — or 1,545 days to be exact — and the page has finally been turned on the men’s 50km walk from the London Olympics. Jared Tallent of Australia has his gold medal, China’s Si Tianfeng has his silver medal and, as of last night, Rob Heffernan has his bronze medal.

It was dead on 8pm when the large wooden doors at the back of the Concert Hall swung open and a lone piper led the man of the moment, shadowed by Lord Mayor of Cork Des Cahill, into the large auditorium.