Bryan Keane puts on valiant display

Bryan Keane realised a childhood dream yesterday by competing in his first Olympic Games at the age of 35 but it wasn’t the performance or result he’d have been hoping for.

The Corkman, who turns 36 tomorrow, was the oldest athlete in the 56-strong field and he finished 40th, just over seven minutes down on winner Alistair Brownlee who led home brother Jonathan for a Team GB 1-2.

Keane, the sole Irishman in the race, battled back from career-threatening injuries that threatened to derail his career but he came into the race quietly confident of delivering a big performance.