Golf: Smyth leads at Slieve Russell

European Tour player Des Smyth leaped into the lead after the first day's

play in the 36-hole Quinn Life PGA Trophy at Slieve Russell.

Smyth, a former winner of the event, had five birdies in his three-under-par round of 69 to be one shot clear of fellow tour player and Leoparstown pro Michael Allen.

69 (-3) - D Smyth (Westpoint Fitness Centre)

70 - M Allen (Leopardstown), G Murphy (Kilkenny)

71 - G Loughrey (Knockbracken), V Teague (Moyola Pk), J Heggarty (Spawell),

F Howley (Milltown), D McGrane (Wexford)

72 - R Burns (Newlands), P Hanna (Fortwilliam), J Dignam (Slade Valley), E

Darcy (Druid's Glen).

73 - J Dwyer (Ashbourne), P Walton (Westpoint Fitness Centre), N Manchip

(Royal Dublin), L Walker (Dundalk), L Robinson (Donegal), M Bannon (Bangor)

74 - L McCool (Slieve Russell), M Sludds (Enniscorthy), K Morris (Fota

Island), G Burke (Curragh)

75 - S Hamill (Allen Pk), C Spence (Royal Belfast), P Gribben (Unattached)

76 - P Stevenson (Portadown), E Doyle (Heath), P Collins (Galgorm Castle), D

Walker (Foxrock).

77 - J Bolger (Mt Wolseley), T Higgins (Mt Juliet), W O'Callaghan

(Fernhill), E Logue (Hilton), P McGuirk (Laytown & Bettystown).

78 - M Cassidy (Nuremore)

Team:

89pts - P McGuirk (Laytown & Bettystown) with J Summers 6 (Charlestown), N

Crimmins 5 (Co Louth) & M Horan 11 (Dunmore East).