In fairness, he’s earned it.

Five-time Olympian and proud Corkonian Rob Heffernan will be the Grand Marshal of the Cork St Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday March 17th, 2019.

Rob is also the only Irish male athlete to hold a medal from three major championships- World, European and the Olympics.

As one of Ireland’s most successful athletes, he was crowned World 50km Race Walking Championship in Moscow in 2013 becoming Ireland’s third ever gold medallist at World Championship level.

The dad of three, who can often be seen training on the roads of Blackrock, won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics, and in 2016 he became the first athlete to represent Ireland in five Olympic Games having competed at the Olympics in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016.

More than 3,000 people will take part in this year’s parade (kick off at 1pm on St. Patrick’s Day), with more than 50,000 spectators expected to line the streets on the day.