Ronan Mullarney sets the pace at Mullingar Scratch Trophy

Galway’s Ronan Mullarney has a three-shot lead heading into today’s final two rounds at the Mullingar Electrical Scratch Trophy.

The Connacht interprovincial defied blustery conditions at the James Braid designed gem, carding five birdies in a morning 69, then adding another five in a four-under-par 68 to set the pace on seven under par. Portmarnock’s Jack Pierse, who started with a 68 and add a 72 in the afternoon, is Mullarney’s nearest rival on four under par with South of Ireland runner-up Rowan Lester from Hermitage a further shot back after rounds of 71 and 70.

Looking for a big final day so that he can to head to the Home Internationals in Scotland and then to college at Texas Wesleyan University in Forth Worth with a win under his belt, Lester said: “It would be nice to get a win. And it would also be nice to hole a few putts because it was really tough with the pins on little knuckles and shelves.”