WATCH: Banbridge's Olympic hero Philip Doyle on his 'phenomenal' French feat

Philip won bronze, alongside rowing partner Daire Lynch, in the men's double sculls at the Paris Games.

The 31-year-old doctor arrived back in Banbridge on Monday night, after attending the Team Ireland homecoming event in Dublin city centre.

The Newry Road sportsman admitted it felt “phenomenal” to be an Olympic medallist and said he was looking forward to sitting down and processing everything that has happened.

He dedicated his medal to his late father, Eamonn, who passed away in 2015 from cancer.

“My dad had a massive influence on my life, the independence he sparked in me; some people say it's one of my worst traits because I don't take help from people easily, I always have to go it alone and always have to do everything myself.

“He promoted unbelievable problem-solving and independence in me. It's always something I've prided myself in…being able to figure things out and being independent.

“I feel over the last few years especially, when I'm working full-time and training on my own that sticktoitiveness, that comprehension of what I need to do and seeing the job through, comes from him.”

And that ‘seeing the job through’ mentality saw Philip storm to a sensational Olympic bronze.

“It’s phenomenal, I haven’t really sat down to appreciate it and process it. It will be interesting and enjoyable over the next few days to do that.”

Speaking about the Dublin homecoming on Monday - the first time the Irish Olympic Team have received a civic reception on their return, he enthused: “I’ve never seen so many people in O’Connell Street!

“Dublin is not Banbridge and it’s not home, but it was phenomenal to be part of that Irish experience - it meant so much.”

Back in Banbridge, it’s been more low key, but every bit as special.

“It’s been quiet,” he revealed. “Just a few close friends and family who knew I’m home came up.

“When I went down the town I got a few nods and people saying ‘congratulations’, so it’s nice that lower key kind of recognition; it almost means as much as a huge big parade.

“The people who have always been giving the head nods are the ones that mean the most, which is great.”

Philip, a former Banbridge Academy student, hopes his Olympic success can inspire a future generation of Irish rowers.

“I hope it leaves a bit of a legacy for heavyweight male rowing in Ireland - the first-ever medal the heavyweight men’s team has brought home.

“I hope it inspires more kids, who don’t have access to rowing clubs when they are young, to get into it when they are older.

“I hope it inspires more funding into sport and more guys just being healthier and happier in their life by keeping their bodies fitter and more active.

“Ultimately, I would love to leave that legacy of something positive in my wake and use it as a platform in the future to improve public health in Northern Ireland and Ireland as a whole.”

As the Banbridge rower reflects on his Olympic odyssey, he is already making plans to return to his day job.

“I think the career needs to take the next step,” he said.

"If I can go back to rowing a step further down my medical career, then that will give me a bit of experience both ways.”