FORMER Southend Diving star Oliver Dingley has secured a top eight finish in the Olympic final in Rio.

Dingley, who switched to compete for Ireland two years ago, impressed in the final of the three metre springboard.

And Southend’s deputy head diving coach Bill Clark was delighted to see Dingley do so well in Brazil.

“Oliver was with us for three or four years and his personal coach Damian Ball used to be our head coach here so I’m so happy for them both,” said Clark.

“I watched all of the diving with great interest and Olly looked very steady and consistent which is exactly what you need, especially when it was it raining there in their outdoor venue.

“But once he got into the final Oliver produced one of the best performances I’ve ever seen from him which was fantastic.”

Dingley - who was left crestfallen when missing out on selection for Team GB at London 2012 - became Ireland’s first diver since Eddie Heron in 1948 - to line up an Olympics.

And Clark knows only too well how hard the 23-year-old has worked to get to the very top of the sport.

“Oliver trains and works very hard so he deserves to have got to the Olympic final,” said Clark.

“When he was with us he was always very positive and helpful and really supportive towards the younger divers at the club as well.

“We all miss him here but we’re all really happy that he’s gone on to become an Olympic finalist.”

Dingley was able to switch to represent to Ireland due his grandmother.