As two Irish hopefuls set off on their final journey around the world class Fota Island course another one completed his Murphy’s Irish Open campaign, albeit rather disappointingly.
Eamonn Darcy, the hero of the opening day after reducing Fota to a 65, carded his second 75 of the week to sign of for a three-over total 287.
"I’m just disappointed," said a dejected Darcy when he came off the course. "My golf was terrible but I enjoyed playing the Irish Open."
Meanwhile at the business end of the leaderboard, both Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke produced the start they and the swelling crowds wanted.
If either player was serious about contending for their national championship then a fast start was going to be essential.And it was.
Harrington moved to eight-under and within five of the overnight leader Colin Montgomerie after making birdies on the opening two holes.
Clarke, two groups behind Harrington, also made a birdie at the 409 yard par four opening hole.After a controlled approach into 10 feet the Tyroneman converted to get his campaign off to the ideal start.
Paul McGinley is two holes ahead of Harrington and as if to complete the three pronged Irish attack on the leaderboard, the Dubliner decided to get in on the birdie act himself.
He had moved to eight-under and within five shots of Montgomerie with birdies at the first, third and fourth but a bogey at the first par five fifth temporarily halted the progress.
Elsewhere, Ian Woosnam proved that the ideal conditions and sweltering heat can lend itself to low scoring. The stocky Welshman threatened to break Colin Mongtgomerie’s course record 63 fromthe first day.But he had to settle for a seven-under 64 after he failed to finish with a birdie at the par five 18th.