Olympic rowing hopeful Philip Doyle ‘torn’ after months on the frontline

Irish rower Philip Doyle training at his home in Banbridge, Down, while adhering to the guidelines of social distancing. Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Christmas was on the doorstep by the time Philip Doyle’s latest eight-month stint as a trainee doctor came to an end, and he could leave Belfast behind for the National Rowing Centre in Cork. A long road stretched ahead of him and, with Tokyo just eight months away, he was already miles behind.

Doyle’s spell of ‘foundational’ training had started with four months at the Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry where he was working full-time, including nights. Home was his parents’ house in Banbridge with its makeshift gym in the garage. Tough, but doable.