Nine Irish players delivered an impressive performance at the Malmö Para Open, which took place from 6–8 February 2026 in Sweden, bringing home a total of nine medals across doubles, performance classes, youth events, and individual competition.
The team travelled under the guidance of Para Head Coach Sam Logue, supported by Dave Cunningham and Eoin Kelly, with Irish athletes competing across wheelchair and standing categories in both singles and doubles events.
The opening day of competition saw Irish athletes make an immediate impact in doubles events. In the Standing Doubles, Jude Sheldon and Aaron Mellows secured a bronze medal, narrowly losing to eventual runners-up Dominic Kramburger and Nicklas Westerberg. Sean Geoghegan and Sam Brennan reached the last 16, where they were defeated by Paralympic bronze medallists Bly Twomey and Fliss Pickard.
In the wheelchair doubles, Kevin O’Callaghan partnered with Austria’s Henrik Andersson to claim silver, finishing second behind Swedish pair David Olsson and Isak Nyholm. Alicia Winter, competing alongside Isa Vriends of the Netherlands, also secured silver in the Plate competition. Aoife Kelly and Patrick Sweeney reached the quarter-finals of the Plate, marking a strong opening day for the Irish squad.
Saturday’s competition featured performance classes as well as junior and youth categories, providing further opportunities for Irish players to showcase their progress.
Paddy Vaughan recorded a notable five-set victory over Paralympian Jack Hunter-Spivy in the Elite Performance Class but was unfortunate not to progress from his group. Aaron Mellows and Sean Geoghegan both reached the last 16 in Performance Class 1, while Kevin O’Callaghan earned bronze in the Plate competition. Jude Sheldon reached the last 16 in Performance Class 2, while Aoife Kelly secured bronze in the Plate in Performance Class 3.
Ireland also celebrated success in the youth categories, with Kevin O’Callaghan winning gold in the Youth Wheelchair event. Jude Sheldon reached the quarter-finals of the Youth Standing Plate, while Sam Brennan advanced to the last 16 in the Youth Standing competition, adding further medals and valuable international experience for the squad.
The final stage of the Malmö Para Open featured individual competition across Classes 1–11, where Irish players continued their strong form.
Paddy Vaughan claimed bronze in Class 7, reaching the semi-finals before losing to eventual champion and World Number One Will Bayley. Aaron Mellows delivered a standout performance in Class 11, earning silver after progressing to the final, where he faced Sweden’s Tobias Hansson.
Elsewhere, Kevin O’Callaghan and Alicia Winter both reached the quarter-finals in their respective classes, while Sean Geoghegan and Jude Sheldon progressed to the last 16 in Class 8. Sam Brennan reached the quarter-finals in Classes 9–10, and Aoife Kelly advanced to the Plate quarter-finals.
Kevin O’Callaghan was Ireland’s most successful athlete across the tournament, securing three medals, including gold in the Youth Wheelchair category, silver in wheelchair doubles, and bronze in performance competition.
In total, Irish players secured nine medals across the three days of competition — a significant achievement and a reflection of the continued development and strength of the Paralympics Ireland pathway.
