McIlroy upbeat ahead of third round

Padraig Harrington ended a 25-year wait for a home winner of the Irish Open last year - and Rory McIlroy is hopeful the overseas contingent can be repelled again at Adare Manor this weekend.

France's Michael Lorenzo-Vera, a European Tour rookie, was the surprise overnight leader and the three closest to him going into today's third round were German Marcel Siem, Australian Richard Green and Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal.