Irish eyes still smiling as win on cards

IRELAND’S hopes of keeping the 3 Irish Open title at home for the third time in four years remain extremely bright at the halfway stage of the €3 million tournament at Killarney.

Leading the way, five behind pacesetter Ross Fisher, are Rory McIlroy, Michael Hoey and Pádraig Harrington, all seven under, while Darren Clarke’s encouraging form of recent times sees him remain in the hunt one shot further back alongside Paul McGinley.

Four more of the original 27 home starters, Damien McGrane, five under; Shane Lowry, three under, and Graeme McDowell and Irish PGA Region member Barrie Traynor, level par, are through to the weekend action.