Second-line stocks which receive a thumbs-up from the stockbroking community include Anglo Irish Bank, Galen, Green Property, Greencore, IAWS and Jurys.

NCB Stockbrokers is particularly taken with Anglo Irish Bank which it says remains a great play on the Irish economic growth story.

"We expect earnings growth of around 15 to 20 per cent per annum for the foreseeable future which is forecast to be higher than its Irish financial peer group," the broker says.

The bank also seems less exposed to the potential impact of new entrant activity in the Irish market, particularly via the Internet, the broker says.

BCP includes Anglo Irish in its recommended list, along with Galen and Greencore, which emerges as a favourite in the food sector given its present value.

Jurys is expected to benefit from its position as the dominant player in the buoyant Irish tourism market following the takeover of the Doyle Hotel group; while Green's exposure to the strongly performing industrial and office markets in Britain should lend support to its share price.

NCB is also recommending IAWS which it commends for its strong strategy implementation and high double-digit earnings stream.