# Rob Heffernan

Last year

2022

# New Role

Olympic medallist Heffernan to join Cork football backroom team for 2023 season

The race walking star has been brought on board by Cork boss John Cleary.

8.4k

Nov 25th 2022, 1:14 PM

# a family affair

'For us, it was never about him making it as a soccer player'

Irish Olympian Marian Heffernan on her son Cathal’s move to AC Milan and the many years of hard work and setbacks that preceded it.

40.6k

Feb 13th 2022, 10:00 AM

All time

# One for the future

Son of Olympians Rob and Marian Heffernan signs first professional contract at Cork City

The Ireland U16 international has put pen-to-paper with his hometown club.

7.4k

Jun 17th 2021, 10:55 AM

# family goals

'So proud of my daughter Meghan' - another Irish international in the Heffernan household

Cathal is also an underage football star for his country.

10.2k

Jun 10th 2021, 5:06 PM

# Unimpressed

Olympic decision to ditch 50km walk is unfair and big blow to Ireland - Barr

The event’s Olympic demise is because it is a male-only competition.

6.6k

Dec 8th 2020, 3:53 PM

# good news story

'It's a real example of, 'You can do anything'' - Irish greats unite to help kids walk tall through lockdown

The Robert Heffernan Race Walking Academy has been a huge success.

6.6k

Nov 22nd 2020, 9:00 AM

# Potential

The son of Olympians Rob and Marian Heffernan on choosing soccer over athletics

The young defender was made captain of Ireland U15s at the weekend.

14.2k

Jan 20th 2020, 6:20 AM

# One Step At A Time

'A lot of the guys will keep going until they collapse, I've done it myself' - the agony of 50km racewalking

Brendan Boyce talks to The42 about the rigours of his craft and his hopes for Tokyo 2020.

13.7k

Dec 29th 2019, 10:00 AM

# Sporting family

Son of Olympians Rob and Marian Heffernan scores for Ireland U15s

There was also a stunning goal from Shamrock Rovers’ Kevin Zefi in the 2-1 win over Poland.

13.2k

Nov 20th 2019, 11:03 AM

# Retirement

'I just didn't have the love anymore': Heffernan moves on with family life

The five-time Olympian on retirement and his children’s sporting careers.

16.1k

Jun 18th 2019, 6:00 AM

# Walking Tall

A one-time world champion Irish prodigy's descent into hell and back

Irish racewalker Kate Veale reflects on a difficult few years.

63.6k

Mar 24th 2019, 10:00 AM

# Sporting Great

Irish Olympic medallist Rob Heffernan announces his retirement

The 40-year-old race walker has called time on his career today.

14.8k

Jul 26th 2018, 11:28 AM

# Awards Season

There's no stopping him! Evergreen Heffernan lands Athlete of the Year award

Athletics Ireland’s annual award ceremony took place this afternoon.

11.2k

Dec 6th 2017, 5:00 PM

# Stall on

Contrary to speculation, Rob Heffernan has not retired

The Cork man finished eighth at the World Championships in what many believed to be his final race.

7.4k

Aug 15th 2017, 8:35 PM

# Disappointment

Ireland's Alex Wright disqualified at World Championships

The 26-year-old racewaker suffered disappointment in today’s 20km event.

7.9k

Aug 13th 2017, 4:31 PM

# Walking Tall

Irish Olympic hero Rob Heffernan announces retirement after 8th-place finish

The Cork native bowed out after an excellent display at the world championships in London.

18.5k

Aug 13th 2017, 12:01 PM

# tokyo 2020

IAAF may consider removing Rob Heffernan's event from Olympic programme

The international governing body are reviewing its athletics programme in London next week.

5.3k

Apr 6th 2017, 11:50 AM

# late late

Rob Heffernan's brilliant tale of being caught smuggling dodgy DVDs to fund his training

But Rob’s Rentals didn’t last long in business.

4.5k

Nov 5th 2016, 3:08 PM

# Better late than never

Belated Olympic bronze still a dream come true for Heffernan

The proud Corkonian was awarded his medal from London in Cork tonight.

4.1k

Nov 3rd 2016, 8:59 PM

# Dream Come True

Four years later, Rob Heffernan will finally be presented with his Olympic medal

The Irish race walker is looking forward to receiving the bronze at a special ceremony in Cork.

16.1k

Oct 21st 2016, 3:07 PM

# Rio 2016

'A hollow victory': Getting an Olympic medal years after racing wasn't enough for Heffernan

Rob Heffernan was a happy man, crossing the finish line in sixth position.

22.1k

Aug 20th 2016, 7:50 AM

# Friday

We'll Leave It There So: Rob Heffernan's heroism, Pat Hickey's hell and all today's sport

Elsewhere, Ryan Lochte starts to grovel and Conor McGregor weighs in for UFC 202.

25.3k

Aug 19th 2016, 8:47 PM

# Rio 2016

'I tried to win the Olympic Games and I finished 6th': Heffernan delighted after seriously tough 50km

The Corkman was upgraded to fifth place after Japan’s Hirooki Arai was initailly disqualified post-race.

27.2k

Aug 19th 2016, 4:39 PM

AS IT HAPPENED

Rio Olympics liveblog: Day 14

London 2012 bronze medallist Rob Heffernan leads the way for Team Ireland on Friday.

130k

Aug 19th 2016, 11:54 AM

# The Jerries

Meet Ireland's Olympic team: Rob Heffernan

The 38-year-old Corkman will become the first Irish athlete to compete in five consecutive Olympics’.

5.1k

Aug 3rd 2016, 2:30 PM

# walking into history

Ireland's Rob Heffernan to join Olympic elite by competing at fifth successive Games

The Cork race walker will make history in Rio.

4.2k

Jul 13th 2016, 9:39 AM

# Golden Moment

'The icing on the cake': Olive Loughnane on her imminent upgrade to world champion

CAS ruling leaves Loughnane in line for overdue 2009 gold.

5.8k

Mar 24th 2016, 5:18 PM

# in the books

'When you don't win a medal you're forgotten': Heffernan thrilled by belated Olympic award

Preparing for another hard day’s work, the Corkman had the heart-rate to prove it.

4.7k

Mar 24th 2016, 11:46 AM

# Road to redemption

Rob Heffernan set to finally receive London 2012 Olympic medal as Russian walker stripped

While Olive Loughnane finally looks set to claim gold from the Berlin World Championships.

26.5k

Mar 24th 2016, 10:50 AM

# The Waiting Game

A decision was expected today but Rob Heffernan's wait for Olympic medal goes on

The Cork athlete is in line for a bronze medal.

3.8k

Feb 26th 2016, 11:53 AM

# Road to Rio

'The idea that someone who has gone to 5 Olympics is jumping out of bed to train is not true'

Rob Heffernan opens up on the long slog that goes with being an Olympian.

9.0k

Feb 24th 2016, 10:31 AM

# Champion

Thomas Barr is named Irish Athlete of the Year

Barr won the 400m gold at the World University Games earlier this year.

3.2k

Nov 25th 2015, 3:31 PM

# Doping

'Very strong' case for Rob Heffernan to be upgraded to Olympic bronze - agent

London 2012 winner Kirdyapkin is one of the Russian athletes named in explosive WADA investigation.

10.4k

Nov 11th 2015, 9:08 AM

# Upgrade

Why Ireland's Rob Heffernan is now an 'Olympic medalist in waiting'

The Cork athlete finished fourth in London but could be awarded a bronze medal if the race winner is found guilty of doping.

26.5k

Nov 9th 2015, 9:33 PM

# Walking Tall

'When you’re a bit older, you’re chasing to cut the weight' - Rob Heffernan meets The42

One of Ireland’s top medal hopefuls talks us through his Rio 2016 preparation.

7.8k

Oct 4th 2015, 10:00 AM

# Report

'It shows my resolve' - Ireland’s Rob Heffernan finishes fifth at World Championships

Meanwhile, the Irish men’s 4x400m relay team have set a new national record.

15.3k

Aug 29th 2015, 9:19 AM

# About a Boyce

'You can't go out there thinking everyone's on drugs'

Brendan Boyce on doping, Olympic qualification and breaking the world’s top ten.

11.8k

Mar 28th 2015, 10:00 AM

# Road to Rio

These 20 Irish athletes will get the highest level of Sports Council funding

€1.57 million will be shared among 75 athletes this year.

24.1k

Mar 26th 2015, 6:29 PM

# Road to Rio

One of Ireland's best medal hopes for Rio 2016 secured qualification today

If this day couldn’t get any better for Irish sport.

5.2k

Mar 21st 2015, 10:32 PM

# Twittersphere

Heffernan, O'Rourke and Griffin react to English's Euros success

Twitter was impressed by the Irish athlete’s performance in Prague today.

5.6k

Mar 8th 2015, 3:34 PM