Golf: Smyth in the lead at Smurfit PGA

Des Smyth, a five-times winner, goes into the last round of the Smurfit PGA

Irish Championship at Castlerock as leader at 14-under-par - two shots ahead

of defending champion Paul McGinley.

Smyth carded his second 66 of the event with an eagle - at the 15th from 40

feet - and five birdies on his card while McGinley made just three birdies,

all on the back nine for a 70.

Two Irish club pros, Michael Allan and Michael Bannon are joint third at

11-under, both posting six-under-par 67, to keep pressure on the tour

players. Bannon was joint leader at one stage but lost a stroke at the last

after carding eight birdies.

Former winner Philip Walton finished with four birdies for a 67 for fifth

spot.

SMURFIT PGA IRISH REGION CHAMPIONSHIP

Third Round Scores (Par 219)

205 - :D Smyth (Unattached) 73,66,66;

207 - P McGinley (K Clkub) 73,64,70;

208 - M Bannon (Bangor) 73,68,67; M Allan (Leopardstown) 72,69,67;

210 - P Walton (Westpoint Fitness Cente) 71,72,67;

211 - K Morris (Fota Island) 75,69,67;

212 - F Holwey (Milltown), 75,65,72;

213 - D Mooney (Laganview) 75,70,68; P Russell (Unattached) 72,71,70;

214 - R Burns (Newlands) 74,71,69;

215 - J dignam (Slade Valley) 73,69,73;

216 - B Kelleher (Ballybunion) 76,69,71; N Howley (Black Bush) 75,70,71; N

Manchips (Newlands) 75,68,73;

217 - J Bolger (Kilkenny) 77,71,69; P Leonard (Fintona) 79,69,69; G Robinson

(Wexford) 74,73,70;

218 - C Barry (Donabate) 75,72,71;

219 - D McFarlane (East Cork) 76,75,68; J Kelly (Ward) 81,69,69; H O'Neill

(Connemara) 76,72,71; D Walker (Foxrock) 75,72,72; K Grealy (Royal Tara)

74,71,74; B McGovern (Headfort) 77,69,73;

220 - G Loughrey (Knockbracken) 76,73,71; M O'Donovan (Harbour Point)

75,73,72; W O'Callaghan (Fernhill) 73,68,l79;

221 - J Dwyer (Ashbourne) 79,72,70; F Dwyer (Celbridge) 77,71,73;

222 - Z Rouiller (Spawell) 78,74,70; E Tracey (Enniscrone) 77,73,72; E Doyle

(Heath) 71,72,73; R Hutton (Cliftonville) 74,75,73; S Thornton (Royal Co

Down) 76,73,73; J Langan (Milltown) 78,71,73; G Chambers (Killymoon)

78,70,74;

223 - JP Dolan (Charleville) 77,74,72; G Fairweather (Knock) 77,74,72; S

Hamill (Lisburn) 76,74,73; A Schewwpw (Malahide) 77,72,74;

224 - P Farrell (Ardglass) 79.73,72; C Smyth (Dundalk) 76,76,72; J Heggarty

(Spawell) 78,73,73;

225 - P Stevenson (Portadown) 74,76,75; N Callan (City of Derry) 75,75,75; A

Johnston (Ballyclare) 75,75,75; J Murray (Malahide) 77,72,76; D Byrne

(Hermitage) 75,71,79; G Burke (Curragh) 74,72,79;

226 - L Walker (Dundalk) 73,74,79;

227 - J Greenaway (Portadown) 79,73,75; J Murray (Elm Green) 73,78,76;

228 - P McGuirk (Co Louth) 76,76,76;

229 - G Madden (Galway DR) 78,74,77; T Mullaly (Royal Portrush) 81,71,77;

233 - J Kinsella (Skerries) 77,74,82;

237 - JP Noonan (Unattached) 80,72,85;