Oliver Dingley came through "the most stressful four hours" of his life to ensure he will become the first Irish diver in 68 years to compete at an Olympic Games this summer.
Born and raised in north Yorkshire, Dingley won Commonwealth Games bronze for England two years ago before switching allegiances to the country of his grandmother’s birth.
Requiring a top-18 finish at the FINA Diving World Cup in Rio on Sunday, he booked his ticket with 11th place in the three-metre event preliminaries, clocking up a total of 415.05 points.
Dubliner Eddie Heron competed in the 1948 Games in London, the only Irish diver to make an Olympics until Dingley’s feat on Sunday.
"I'm the first diver in a long time to qualify for the Games. It’s a dream come true."
Dingley is now relishing the chance to fly the flag in Brazil, after a nerve-shredding day of drama.
“It was the most stressful four hours of my life,” he told RTÉ Sport’s Sunday Sport.
“Lucky enough I managed to keep calm, consistency was the key.
“I'm so happy I made the decision [to represent Ireland]. I’m very humbled Ireland accepted me. I'm the first diver in a long time to qualify for the Games. It’s a dream come true.
“It was a very emotional. My family are over here too. What a day. I can’t wait to go and represent Ireland."
Natasha McManus will attempt to follow in Dingley's footsteps on Monday in the three-meter event, and her team-mate is backing her to do just that.
“There’s no reason why she can’t qualify," the 23-year-old said. "I’ve got my fingers crossed for her. Hopefully we can make it a double.”
MacManus competes in the preliminary round of the 3m springboard at 1pm.
