After two long days, and much deliberation due to weather-forced delays, the halfway stage of the Nissan Irish Open has finally been reached. Of the 19 Irishmen who set-out at Carton House, seven have made it to the business end of proceedings with the field eyeing overnight leader Nicolas Colsaerts from Belgium.

Due to the six-hour delay on the opening day 50 players had to return to the Maynooth venue this morning to complete their second rounds before the cut mark finally fell at four-over par.

After shooting a second round 67, Colsaerts leads by one on four under from England's Ian Poulter, Anthony Wall and Christian Cevaer from France. The final group will set-off at 12.55pm today. And with conditions heavy under foot, preferred lies will be in operation for today's third round.

Peter Lawrie leads the Irish challenge after a fine 68 propelled the Dubliner into a tie for ninth on one under. Damien McGrane (69) is a shot further behind on the same mark as Thomas Bjorn after the Dane shot a course record 66 while playing alongside Darren Clarke yesterday. Padraig Harrington,  Clarke and US Open champion Michael Campbell will begin the day on one over.

Stephen Browne matched McGrane's 69 to be three over, one shot ahead of Colm Moriarty and David Higgins.

In order to get through the day's play, tournament organisers have opted for a two-tee start with play due to finish at 6pm at the Montgomerie Course.

Meanwhile, Colin Montgomerie was unable to get to grips with the venue he designed, missing the halfway cut. The Scot looked to have played himself into the final two rounds with three birdies in his last five holes but a bogey on the 16th crucially left him five-over par, one shot outside the mark.

Irish tee-times for the third round:

1st Tee
11.15am Padraig Harrington (one over)
11.25am Darren Clarke (one over)
11.55am Damien McGrane (Level)
12.15pm Peter Lawrie (one under)

10th Tee
11.15am Stephen Browne (three over)        
12.15pm Colm Moriarty (four over)
12.55pm David Higgins(four over)