Oliver Dingley has qualified for tonight’s final of the Olympic men’s 3m springboard diving at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre, writes Will Downing in Rio.

The 23-year-old, who declared for Ireland during the last Olympic cycle, went through in ninth place after a consistent performance right across the board in Rio today.

Dingley started conservatively, and his first dive, a forward-3½-somersault pike had him down in 13th just shy of 70 points.

His next attempt, a forward 2.5 somersaults two twists pike, impressed the judges enough to pick up 73 points and elevate him into the top dozen, where he would remain.

Dingley remained solid for his next three dives, each scoring in the sixties, and made his position secure with his final judge-pleasing effort, a back 2½ somersaults 1½ twist dive, saw him receive 73.1 points, to bring his overall tally to 414.25, and see him comfortably through to tonight’s final in ninth place.

Ireland’s first Olympic diver since 1992 will find it difficult to break close to the medals, but having progressed through two rounds, Dingley may feel a top-six finish is possible.

The final is underway at 10pm Irish time.