Doyle 'delighted' with 'phenomenal' Olympic bronze

Philip Doyle says the feeling of winning an Olympic bronze medal alongside Daire Lynch in the men's pair is "phenomenal".

The Team Ireland crew finished third behind Romania and the Netherlands after a strong final 500 metres at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.

Doyle, from Northern Ireland, and Lynch won Ireland's third medal of the Games.

"I'm just delighted with the whole experience," said Doyle.

Doyle became the fourth athlete from Northern Ireland to win a medal at the Paris Olympics before Rebecca Shorten's silver in the women's four for Team GB made it five.

Daniel Wiffen, Jack McMillan and Hannah Scott had all won gold in a historic 24 hours, and Doyle said their success inspired him ahead of his final.

"They have better colours than mine," Doyle joked.

"To see so many Northern Irish athletes doing so great over the past few days has been amazing. It's really spurred me on.

"I had to really bring the mood down after the swimming the past few nights to try and get some good sleep for these races."

'If you don't get to the Olympics then nobody cares'

In draining heat on the outskirts of Paris, Doyle and Lynch rallied after being fifth at the halfway point of the race.

Even with 500 metres to go, the Irish crew were tied with the USA, but a strong kick got them over the line clear of the Americans.

Doyle said that Lynch, from Clonmel, "pulled me through" as the pair, who only started competing together in May 2023, claimed the biggest success of their careers together.

"Rowing is one of those sports where you can win all the World Championships and all the World Cups you want, but if you don't get to an Olympics then nobody cares," added Lynch, 26.

"There are only a few sports in the Olympics that are like that, so it puts even more pressure on it.

"It's been a tough week and we're really happy to come away with some silverware in the end."

Philip Doyle and Daire Lynch have been rowing together for less than 18 months

Doyle, who said the Olympics is "more than just going out there and putting yourself in a boat", added: "It's dealing with pressure, the atmosphere, the environment and the week itself.

"It's a microcosm of scrutiny and pressure that you have never seen before.

"To win our heat, win the semi-final and head into this with a bit of confidence, it settles the nerves and gives you the belief."

Doyle also dedicated his medal to his late father, Eamonn, who passed away in 2015 from cancer.

"Eight years ago I brought him home my first ever gold medal to the hospice up in Newry. They did a phenomenal job looking after him, and he said 'put away that nonsense and get back to work'," Doyle recalled.

"Apologies to him up there, wherever he is.

"To finally bring home the pinnacle of the sport, an Olympic medal, is just great.

"I'm not a sentimental person and I'm not terribly emotional, but you feel something on a day like this. It's hard not to and it's great to be able to do everyone at home proud."