Career
Born in Glenmore, County Kilkenny, Heffernan first excelled at hurling in his youth. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of twenty-three when he first linked up with the Kilkenny senior team He made his senior debut during the 1981 championship.
He was an All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions.
At club level he is a one-time All-Ireland medallist with Glenmore. Throughout his career Heffernan made 32 championship appearances.
He retired from inter-county hurling following the conclusion of the 1993 championship. Heffernan is widely regarded as one of Kilkenny"s all-time greatest players.
Club
Heffernan played his club hurling with his local Glenmore club
Glenmore later defeated Patrickswell in the All-Ireand final, with Heffernan scoring the winning goal in the 33rd minute. 1995 saw Glenmore winning a fourth county title which was subsequently converted into a second Leinster club title for Heffernan. Inter-county
Heffernan first came to prominence on the inter-county scene in the early 1980s.
In 1991 Heffernan was appointed captain of the Kilkenny hurling team
1992 saw Heffernan add a sixth provincial title to his collection and he later claimed a third All-Ireland medal when he came on as a substitute in Kilkenny’s defeat of Cork in the All-Ireland final. In 1993 he collected a seventh Leinster title before once again coming on as a substitute to claim a fourth All-Ireland medal in Kilkenny’s defeat of Galway in the All-Ireland final.