A COUPLE of eagles in the second round helped Cork doctor John Morris, into a one stroke lead after yesterday's opening 36 holes in the Irish Amateur Open Championship at Fota island.

The championship was blessed with glorious weather conditions, but surprisingly only two players finished under par after the two rounds.

Morris shot scores of 72 and 70 to finish two below regulation and a stroke ahead of David Kelly from Dundee University.

Graham Spring from Tralee is two off the lead but in fact the majority of the leading contenders are still very much in the hunt. Morris highlighted a splendid day work's with eagles at the 8th and 18th in an afternoon round of 70. He holed a 40 footer at the 8th and at the home hole hit the flag with the five iron approach before tapping in from three feet.