Relief and redemption for Doyle as he takes Olympic bronze with Daire Lynch

Doyle expressed his own regrets for a mistake down the stretch that put paid to their hopes of catching the Dutch who were themselves beaten to the top step by Romania.

REASON FOR CHEER: Ireland’s Philip Doyle and Daire Lynch celebrate with their bronze medals. Pic: Morgan Treacy, Inpho

The hour after an Olympic medal is won must feel like a full day in normal time. The adrenalin is flowing through and out of you, the muscles are recovering, and the mind is scrambled.

There is a plethora of media to be done, podium athletes being directed along a line of journalists and broadcasters like diners in a canteen with their meal trays.