Colm Moriarty, a winner on the Challenge Tour only last week, fired an opening round level par 72 at the Challenge of Ireland at Glasson today.

Attatched to Glasson House and hoping local knowledge would pay dividends, Moriarty sits nine shots off leader Michael Lorenzo-Vera of France.

The Athlone man, who won in Wales last week, started on the 10th and mixed three bogeys with three birdies.

Mark Murphy leads the sizeable home challenge on five under, four off the lead.  He carded three birdies but an eagle three at the par five 10th proved the highlight of his round.

Simon Thornton, Irish region Order of Merit winner for the last two seasons and professional at Royal County Down, also sits at level par following the opening round.

Former European Tour player Stephen Browne sits one over while ex-Walker Cup player Noel Fox has work to do after stuttering to a four over par 76.

Michael McGeady, the former Irish international from the North West golf club in Donegal, is another at four over.

Scotland's Andrew McArthur played through the pain barrier to claim second spot.  Despite a bout of suspected tendonitis in his left elbow, McArthur played superbly firing an eight under par 64.