When Rob and Marian Heffernan went to Italy for a Valentine's getaway they didn’t expect to be turned away from seeing their son play for AC Milan.
It was the Olympians first time to see the 16-year-old in the famous red and black - his second game - following the glamour loan move from Cork City.
But when they arrived at the 1,200-capacity Peppino Vismara in the south of the city, for an Under-18 game against Empoli, a strict behind-closed-doors policy was in operation.
No exceptions.
Instead, they got tickets for the San Siro to see the first-team - who Cathal had played against in a training game the previous week - beat Sampdoria that evening.
But despite that minor blip, Rob insists he has no concerns as to how Cathal is bedding into life at the Rossoneri.
Not least because the teenager was used to globe trotting with his folks, living inside their intense sporting bubble when they trained for the Olympics and other major tournaments.
“People in Ireland get carried away because it’s a big club,” says Rob Heffernan, the former world champion race walker whose daughter Meghan also plays for Cork City WFC.
“Cathal is only 16 and if you’re a player going into that environment to grow and develop, the bar never stops.
“You could come to a stage at 18 where something happens and you might not want it. I’ve seen loads of brilliant athletes at 16 or 17, but mentally they don’t want that life.
“Cathal has the advantage of living that life with us as a kid. He was away in camps, stuck up mountains and in caves.
“The football life is way easier and more glamorous than an athlete’s training camp at altitude.”
Ahead of the 2012 London Olympics, Rob and Marian were training in Australia. Schooled during the day, youngster Cathal would join Rob on the bikes in the evening.
In 2017, as a 12-year-old, he was entrusted with looking after Rob’s video analysis and sorting all of his drinks during the final camp of his career.
