Moriarty leads Irish charge with super 69

Athlone's Colm Moriarty shot a 69 at Carton House today to lie just one shot off the lead of the Nissan Irish Open this evening.

Moriarty shot five birdies - including 17 and 18 - to tie for third behind Nick Dougherty and Swede Klas Eriksson after today's first round at the Colin Montgomerie-designed course.

Dougherty and Eriksson lead on four under after firing rounds of 68 today.

Colin Montgomerie’s course did not cause the headaches many feared, although no fewer than seven tees were moved forward after the problems encountered in the pro-am.

The Scot himself returned a 71, while Ryder Cup team-mates Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood and David Howell shot 70.

Damian Mooney was another of the home players to enjoy a fine round, shooting a 70 to tie for seventh.

And 16-year-old Irish sensation Rory McIlroy, whose European Tour debut last week saw rounds of 82 and 81, joined Montgomerie in 13th place late in the day on one under.

Padraig Harrington, recovering from a neck injury, lies one over after a topsy-turvy 73 today, which included a double bogey on 14.