Damien McGrane reached the turn at the Madeira Islands Open trailing Argentina’s Estanislao Goya by four shots. On four-under, the Meathman requires something special on the back nine if he is to claim a second European Tour title.

Resuming three ahead Goya followed an opening birdie with a double bogey two holes later, but McGrane dropped a stroke on the short fifth and the South American’s second birdie on the next widened the gap.

Michael Hoey is currently in third place, but six adrift and unlikely to catch Goya. And Michael McGeady’s collapse over the weekend continued today as the Co Donegal golfer, one off the lead on Friday night, dropped to four over and a shared of 16th position.