Michael McDermott leads the Irish charge at the Ireland Ryder Cup Challenge after his fine opening score of seven under par 63 left him just one shot off the lead at the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club.
McDermott, who is attached to the Stackstown Golf Club, where Padraig Harrington began his career, put together a fine round of golf over the Mahoney's Point course that only England's Sam Osborne could beat, while the Welsh pair of Craig and James Williams matched the Dubliner's first round effort.
The 26 year old, who won the West of Ireland Amateur Championship in 2001, put together an eagle two, after a brilliant drive to just ten feet on the short par four 15th, five birdies and 12 pars to move to seven under, one stroke better off than the next best Irishman in the field, Simon Thornton.
McDermott, who plays most of his golf on the Europro Tour, has played at Mahoney's Point before, but in entirely different circumstances and conditions.
He explained: "I played here about six years ago but I don't think the circumstances could have been anymore different. I was on a fun weekend with a few of the lads, basically drinking with a bit of golf thrown in so I don't remember all that much about the course!
"It's a great place though and I am happy to have posted a low number for the first round. One of my main problem this year has been the fact that I have been getting off to slow starts and struggling with first rounds, so it's nice to see my name up there on the leaderboard.
"I have been playing on the Europro Tour for a couple of years now and the game's coming on and getting better every season I think. The goal for now is try and get on to the Challenge Tour and try to work my up."
Donegal's Michael McGeady and Greenore's Robert Giles put themselves in contention with opening scores of 66, while Athlone's Colm Moriarty and Mark O'Sullivan of Galway were just one shot further back on three under after their respective 67s.
"That's a bit more like it," said Moriarty. "It could have been a bit lower out there today but I'm pleased with the start. If the conditions stay the same tomorrow I'll have a good chance to get a low score on the board early and put myself in a great position for the weekend."
Leader Osborne's 62 meant a new course record for Mahoney's Point. Standing at 6'4 inches, the 24 year old from Wentworth hits the ball prodigious distances and he used all of his power, and no little finesse, to craft an excellent first round score that was finished off in some style with an eagle two on the par four ninth hole after a wonderful faded drive that stopped just 25 feet from the cup.
