Joy for Ireland as Heffernan spoils Russian party

[MADem]

Reuters) - Guts, guile and no lack of self-belief propelled Irishman Robert Heffernan to 50km race walk victory on Wednesday, spoiling the Russian party one day after Yelena Isinbayeva's wildly-celebrated pole vault triumph.

...While the Russian enjoyed the cheers of a nation, the 35-year-old Heffernan had the one supporter who mattered most as he scooped Ireland's first world gold in 18 years.

"My wife is here with me and we are so happy," he said with understatement after denying the hosts a clean sweep of the walks after they took gold in both 20km events earlier in the week.

"I believed I could be the winner," he added after a career of near medal misses.

"It was very tough but I tried to stay positive. The last 10km are like a crucifixion." ....

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/14/us-athletics-world-idUSBRE97C0TV20130814?feedType=nl&feedName=usmorningdigest

[IrishAyes]

1. Bless his heart!

"Guts, guile and no lack of self-belief" are prerequisites for any real Irish folk. Don't think I've ever heard us described quite so succintly. Be of good cheer - no matter how many generations removed from the homeland, those qualities are so bone deep they never wear off.