Niall Turner produced a second scintillating round of golf to propel him into contention to qualify from the European Tour Qualifying School event at Golf D’Hardelot in France.

The Muskerry man fired a superb 67 including five birdies which added to his first round of 69 puts him at six-under par and well within the qualifying bracket. He is four shots off leader, South Africa’s Haydn Porteous, whose breathtaking 62 put him10-under par at the half-way mark.

Tim Rice of Limerick also still has an outside chance of making it through after his second consecutive par 71 left him in a share of 29th position but Banbridge’s Richard Kilpatrick may have left himself with too much to do after a second round 75 put him in a tie of 61st place with four-over par.

In the event being held at Frilford Heath in Abingdon, Irish hopes are fading with Ballybunion’s John-Daniel Guiney’s 72 leaving him on one-over for the tournament and a share of 47th place probably the best hope.

Headfort’s Brian Casey and Mike Kelly of Kildare had rounds of 70 and 71 respectively to leave them on two-over and a share of 54th position.

Meanwhile, Galway’s Shane Franklin hit 80 in his second round to put him with little chance of qualifying and Portadown’s Thomas Conran is in 101st place after his 78.