Team Bronze for Irish 20k Race Walk Team

Bronze for Irish Team of Alex Wright, Rob Heffernan and Cian McManamon at European Race Walking Cup

Podebrady, Czech Republic

Sunday May 21st 2017

irish bronze medal team podebrady 2017 b

Cian McManamon (Westport AC), Alex Wright (Leevale AC) and Rob Heffernan (Togher AC) Euro Race Walks Bronze Medal Team

Photo: James Veale

Athletics Ireland Press Release - Feidhlim Kelly

Team Bronze for Ireland

The Irish men created history at the European Race Walking Cup by winning team bronze medals over 20km in Podebrady, Czech Republic today (May 21).

Ireland landed bronze behind Spain and Germany who won gold and silver medallists respectively. The race was won by by Germany’s Christopher Limk in 1:19:28.

Alex Wright (Leevale) led the team home in 6th in 1:21:48 with Robert Heffernan (Togher) 13th in 1:22:40 and Cian McManamon (Westport) 26th in 1:24:03.

Earlier in the day Brendan Boyce (Finn Valley) was an agonising fourth in the 50km race walk in 3:49:49 won by Ukraine’s Ivan Banzeruk in 3:38:15. Boyce had been in the bronze medal position in the final 10km but was unfortunately passed by Italy’s Michele Antonelli who won bronze with 3:49:07.

In the junior women’s 10km Orla O'Connor finished (Waterford) 21st in 51:39 and Niamh O'Connor (Celbridge) finished 27th in 53:29 which saw the team finish 9th.

Team manager Patsy McGonagle said: “Irish walkers acquitted themselves admirably here in Podebrady Czech Republic with an historic return from the 20k men digging out a gutsy spirited response. Add a fourth for Brendan Boyce in a medal position and I’m proud of this dedicated bunch. I’m looking forward to the World Championships in London with enthusiasm.

High Performance Director Paul McNamara said: “There were so many highlights provided by our racewalkers in Podebrady today, from Brendan's heroic push for an individual medal, the individual performances of the lads in the 20k, to the debuts at this level by Niamh and Orla, but the team medals from Alex, Rob and Cian is really very exciting and a credit to the collective preparation of our elite men.