Our team recently returned from an exciting and eventful fortnight of competition across Europe, representing Ireland at the highest level in Para-Standing Tennis (PST). Five of us travelled to Barcelona on June 13th, with the tournament kicking off on the 15th. Michael Beglan and I competed in the PST 1 classification, while Cormac Goodman, Alex Morrogh, and James Naughton took part in PST 2. ( **Scroll down for photos**)
A Rough Start – But Ready to Compete
Our journey didn’t begin smoothly. Flight delays due to severe storms over France meant that Michael didn’t arrive at the hotel until 5:20 a.m. on Saturday morning. As a result, we didn’t get our first hitting session until Saturday afternoon – right under the blazing Spanish sun. The heat and humidity were a shock to the system, but it gave us a vital opportunity to acclimatise. In hindsight, flying out earlier would’ve given us a better buffer to adjust.
Strong Performances in PST 2
In PST 2, both Cormac and Alex played exceptionally well despite a tough draw. They each secured solid wins in the opening round before narrowly losing out in hard-fought second round matches. Cormac also made a strong showing in the doubles alongside his Hungarian partner, Mark. Unfortunately for James, he drew Cormac in the first round of singles – a tough start for any teammate.
A Rollercoaster Tournament in PST 1
I had the misfortune of drawing a Brazilian clay court specialist – last year’s finalist – in my opening match. During the match, I strained my lower back, which required daily physio and hampered me throughout the tournament. Despite the injury, Michael and I made an excellent run in the doubles. We won our first match 6–2, 6–1, and then stunned the third seeds in the quarterfinals with a dominant 6–0, 6–1 win.
In the semi-finals, we faced the formidable duo of Alex Hunt and Adam Hills. Although my back limited my movement and serve, we felt optimistic. The first set slipped away 6–1 as Hunt delivered a near-flawless performance. However, we rallied in the second to win it 6–4. The match came down to a championship tiebreak, and at 7–7, Hunt once again produced the goods when it counted. We went down 10–7, but it was a fantastic contest.
A Standout Tournament for Michael
Michael’s singles run in Barcelona was remarkable. After a shaky start in the heat, he grew in confidence with each round, ultimately reaching the final of PST 1 – a major achievement. He faced the experienced pro Alex Hunt in the final. Michael played an incredible first set, pushing Hunt to the limit and losing just 7–5. Though Hunt pulled away in the second, Michael’s performance at just 16 years old was nothing short of extraordinary. He has now firmly established himself as the world’s number 2 ranked player.
Onto Turin – More Success and Setbacks
After Barcelona, Michael, Alex Morrogh, and I headed to Turin for the European Open. Alex repeated his strong performance with another first-round win. I unfortunately drew the same opponent as in Barcelona with the same outcome. Michael, once again, stormed through the draw to reach the final, where he met Alex Hunt for the third time and fell just short.
Our doubles run ended prematurely due to injury and illness. I tore my hamstring during singles – likely a knock-on from the earlier back issue – and Michael was dealing with a fever and sore throat. We had to concede the semifinal, but we remain confident in our potential as a team. Earlier in the year we were playing brilliantly together, and though injuries and limited preparation disrupted our campaign, we know we’re capable of going all the way next year.
Looking Ahead
Despite personal disappointments, I’m incredibly proud of what our team accomplished. Watching Cormac and Alex get their first wins at a world championship has clearly motivated them to push harder for next year. The team spirit was phenomenal, and our green jerseys and Irish flags were hard to miss, leaving a lasting impression on everyone at the tournament.
The next phase for us is to expand the para-standing player base in Ireland. With more regional events and coaching sessions planned, I’m confident we’ll discover new talent and grow the sport even further.
Thanks to everyone for your ongoing support – it means the world to us.
— David
Click here to read about out the Inaugral Anglo-Hiberian Club 2025.
Click here to watch a short clip from a Netflix documentary about Parastanding Tennis, its amazing.