For Phelan, competing as a member of the Republic of Ireland team, success came in the U20 high jump event which he won with a leap of 2.0m.
Ireland finished fifth overall.
Irving, in the U23 110m hurdles representing overall winners South of England, had a less happy time, finishing sixth in a time of 15.9 after he pulled a hamstring mid-race.
‘Obviously I didn’t do as well as I’d hoped,’ he said, ‘but fortunately the injury isn’t as bad as I first thought so I hope to be back in training next week, in time for the British Cup final.’ Phelan said: ‘My jump wasn’t near the 2.07m personal best I managed earlier this season, but conditions weren’t ideal, it was very windy.’ His inclusion in the ROI team followed his performance at an Irish national competition recently, in which he finished first in both the high and triple jump, and third in the hurdles – and he is now ranked No 2 in the country, and No 1 at U20 level, in high jump, and No 4 in U20 high jump in the UK.
Born in Ireland, he moved to Jersey with his parents and brother when he was eight, and has competed for Jersey and the Channel Islands.
‘Competing for Ireland was something I’d never thought of, but I enjoyed the meet at Derby.
It was a bit daunting at first.
I knew a couple of the other athletes because I competed with them last year, but I didn’t really know any of my team mates.
But after a day or two we gelled as a team and I enjoyed it.’ Phelan has been asked by the Irish coach to see if he can attain the 2.12m qualifying height for the European junior championships which will take place next year.
‘It’s been one of my better seasons,’ Phelan said, ‘with the PB and a medal at senior level.’ Irving’s season has been up and down.
‘I had a back injury at the start of the season and was out for a few months, so I was quite surprised to get the call-up for the South of England, but very pleased.
The hamstring injury was disappointing, I’m just hoping to get some good times in before the end of the season.’ Next challenge for both men is with the Ansbacher CI athletics team in Bedford, on 21 August, when the men’s and women’s squads compete in the British Plate Cup final.
Before that Phelan, along with a large number of his peers, awaits the impending arrival of A level results.
‘I’m quite nervous about them,’ he admitted.
‘But if all goes well I’ll be going to university in Bath next month, to study coaching education and sports performance.’
