Cathal Doyle 'absolutely buzzing' after winning 1500m repechage

Luke McCann finished seventh in the same race in 3:36.50. In the second repechage, Andrew Coscoran came home 12th.

WINNER: Ireland's Cathal Doyle celebrates finishing first in his men's 1500m repechage. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Cathal Doyle produced a superb performance to power to victory in his 1500m repechage at the Stade de France on Saturday night, the 26-year-old Dubliner kicking to victory in 3:34.92 to advance to the semi-finals.

Doyle had fallen short of qualification for the 1500m semi-finals on Friday after finishing ninth in his heat in 3:37.82, a run that was indicative of his lack of experience on the global stage. But with the repechage offering another path to the semi-finals, Doyle seized his opportunity brilliantly, kicking to victory and nailing one of the three qualifying spots for the semi-finals.

“That was the goal of my championships, every round was an Olympic final to me,” he said. “I treated it like any race and raced the way I’ve done all season. Yesterday was an off day, a bit of nerves and inexperience at this level. I was so much more relaxed today. I felt great the whole way. I’m absolutely buzzing with that.” 

Fellow Dubliner Luke McCann finished seventh in the same race in 3:36.50. In the second repechage, Andrew Coscoran made a bold bid to go with the pace but found his legs bankrupt on the final lap, the Balbriggan man having struggled with illness on the build-up to the Games. He came home 12th in 3:39.45.