Seven of Ireland’s 12 challengers broke par at Stage Two of the European Tour Qualifying School with four of them inside the qualifying places after the opening day.

Simon ThorntonA total of 304 players are competing at four venues in Spain with a total of 74 spots up for grabs in next week's Final Qualifying Stage at PGA Golf Catalunya where the top 30 and ties after six rounds will earn full tour cards.

Simon Thornton (68) and Colm Moriarty (69) are inside the top 18 at Sherry Golf but while Mick McGeady (71) is just two shots outside the magic number, David Higgins (72) and Eddie Barr (74) have more work to do.

The dream is still alive for eight of the 37 Irishmen who entered Stage One of the European Tour Qualifying School.

Niall Kearney had to sweat in BerlinAll 12 entrants failed at Section A last week but eight of the 25 starters in Section B survived and will tee it up at one of four Stage Two venues in Spain in November.

St Margarets' John Kelly was the top man when he finished tied third on 12 under at The Oxfordshire after a closing 69. It was his fourth successive sub-par round at a venue where 28 qualified on four under par 284 or better.

Walker Cup ace Niall Kearney blasted a third round 68 in Germany to keep his tour dream alive at the first stage of the European Tour Qualifying School.

Mervyn Owens is looking good in BerlinWith the top 27 and ties progressing to November’s second stage, the Royal Dublin amateur moved into a share of eighth place on five under at Fleesensee near Berlin with Mallow's Mervyn Owens a shot further back after a 73.

In France, Ulsterman Eddie Barr hit a 70 at Golf de Moliets to move into a share of eighth on eight under par with Limerick’s Cian McNamara well-placed in tied 15th on six under.

Walker Cup player Niall Kearney is one of 37 Irishmen who have entered the first stage of the European Tour Qualifying School later this month.

The 21-year old Royal Dublin amateur will tee it up in a 115-man field at Fleesensee Golf and Country Club near Berlin from September 22-25 alongside Justin Brink and fellow South of Ireland champions Mark Campbell and Mervyn Owens.

Kearney is one of six Irish amateurs amongst the 749 hopefuls who will begin their bids of European Tour cards at stage one. The others are Ulstermen Byron Campbell and Ruairi McGee, Newlands’ Irish international Cian Curley, Royal Dublin’s Neil O Briain and Portmarnock’s James Fox.

Portstewart’s Paul Cutler, who was disappointed not to make the Walker Cup side this year, has not entered.

Ryder Cup hero Philip Walton heads a 12-strong Irish contingent bidding to win European Tour cards in Spain.

The Dubliner, 44, will be making his eighth successive visit to the stomach churning Qualifying School since 1999.