Rob Heffernan Spearheads Irish Squad at European Race Walking Cup 2017

Cork Duo among Athletics Ireland Walks Squad at EuropeanRace Walking Cup

Podebrady, Czech Republic

Sunday May 21st 2017


Alex Wright (Leevale AC)	Rob Heffernan (Togher AC)

Alex Wright (Leevale AC) and Rob Heffernan (Togher AC) are among those selected to represent Ireland at next Sunday's European Race Walking Cup, in Podebrady, Czech Republic, May 21st 2017

Athletics Ireland Press Release - Feidhlim Kelly

Irish Walkers to Czech Pprogress at European Cup

A strong Irish team will compete at the European Race Walking Cup in Podebrady, Czech Republic this Sunday (May 21st).

The biannual event will provide a marker for the senior walkers, in preparation for the World Championships, in London next August.

The team will be spearheaded by Togher's Robert Heffernan who will compete alongside Alex Wright (Leevale) and Cian McManamon (Westport) in the 20km, while Brendan Boyce (Finn Valley) gets action underway in the 50km – his first time to compete over the distance in the this event.

Live Streaming

Live streaming will be available on

http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/porady/10183677624-sportovni-beh-a-chuze/217254000170001-ep-druzstev-v-chuzi/ from 7.00am Irish time, starting with the men’s 50km walk, and concluding with the women’s Under 20 10km walk, at 6.00pm. Orla O'Connor (Waterford AC) and Niamh O'Connor (Celbridge AC) will compete in the women’s U20 race.

A total of 226 athletes from 26 countries have been entered for the event in the historic Czech Republic spa town, situated around 50km to the east of Prague.

High Performance Director Paul McNamara said: "Athletics Ireland is excited to give the opportunity to our emerging talent who are seeking to follow in the footsteps of greats such as Olive Loughnane, Gillian O’Sullivan and Deirdre Gallagher, while at the same time this event showcases our elite male walkers, who are already well established amongst the best in Europe and the World, as part of their preparation for London 2017."