Disappointment as both Irish walkers are disqualified

FOR a long time it promised to be one of those days he always dreamt about, but three-quarters of the way into the men’s 20k walk at the world championships in Helsinki it turned into a nightmare for Ireland’s Robert Heffernan, sent packing on a red card.

Then Olive Loughnane was disqualified shortly after half way in yesterday’s women’s 20k when she went out on a card for knees - something seldom seen in racewalking.

Heffernan had made all the sacrifices, done all the hard work and travelled up to Helsinki in what he felt was the best shape of his life.