Matt McClean five strokes off lead and heading Irish challenge at Lytham Trophy
Connemara's Luke O'Neill and Edmondstown's Thomas Abom were 25th after 72s while Dundalk's Caolan Rafferty shot 73 to share 41st with Royal Dublin's Jack McDonnell and Athenry's David Kitt, who had a hole-in-one at the ninth.
The top 40 and ties after today's second round make the cut for tomorrow's final 36 holes.
Co Sligo's Aodhagan Brady and Warrenpoint's Colm Campbell shot 74, Grange's Jake Whelan a 75 and Edmondstown's Liam Abom and Charleville's Jordan Boles a brace of 76s to give themselves a chance .
However, Roscommon's Simon Walker and Millicent's Brian Doran likely have too much to do after respective rounds of 82 and 84.
Meanwhile, Castleknock's Paul Coughlan will defend his title in the C20 Group Munster Men's Stroke Play Amateur Open at Cork Golf Club today.
Coughlan captured his first championship crown last season and will look to draw on that experience this weekend.
'That was my first championship one. I had a couple of runners-up and near misses as well,' Coughlan said. 'It was nice to get one over the line.'
A 75-strong field, which includes newly crowned West of Ireland champion Dylan Holmes (18) from Greystones, will play 36 holes today with the top 30 and ties qualifying for tomorrow's final two rounds.
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