Cutler survives close encounter
In-form Paul Cutler is on course to become the first player since Garth McGimpsey in 1988 to complete the double of East and Irish Close titles.
Fellow Walker Cup squad members Dara Lernihan and Simon Ward made their exits in the Irish Amateur Close at Enniscrone, but the Portstewart man battled his way into the last 16.
He saw off the experienced former international Andrew McCormick with a birdie four at the 22nd in the first round and then beat Lee Valley's Niall Gorey 3 and 2 in the afternoon.
However, he faces a major test when he takes on Athlone's Kelan McDonagh on Tuesday.
McDonagh finished third behind Cutler at Baltray and showed he is a man to be feared after he beat Malone's Byron Campbell by one hole and Ballymena's Alex McCloy 4 and 3.
Last year's beaten finalist, Lernihan, beat Kieran Canty in the first round but bowed out to Kilkenny's Craig Martin by one hole.
The third round draw has thrown up some fascinating battles and the dream is still alive for "veterans" Eddie McCormack, Michael Sinclair, Rory Leonard and Pat Murray.
Third Round - Tuesday, 9th June
1 08:30 Cian Curley (Newlands) v Eddie McCormack (Galway)
2 08:40 James Monaghan (The Island) v Michael Sinclair (Knock)
3 08:50 Paul Dunne (Greystones) v Paul O’Kane (Moyola Park)
4 09:00 Kelan McDonagh (Athlone) v Paul Cutler (Portstewart)
5 09:10 Gary McDermott (Co. Sligo) v Aaron O’Callaghan (Douglas)
6 09:20 Richard Bridges (Stackstown) v Andrew Hogan (Newlands)
7 09:30 Stephen Loftus (Lahinch) v Pat Murray (Limerick)
8 09:40 Rory Leonard (Banbridge) v Craig Martin (Kilkenny)
Second Round – Monday, 8th June
Cian Curley (Newlands) bt Stephen Webster (Castle) at 22nd
Eddie McCormack (Galway) bt Matthew McAlpin (Royal Portrush) 6/5
James Monaghan (The Island) bt Darragh O’Sullivan (Strandhill) at 21st
Michael Sinclair (Knock) bt Connor Doran (Banbridge) at 19th
Paul Dunne (Greystones) bt Stephen Crowe (Dunmurry) 3/1
Paul O’Kane (Moyola Park) bt Ciaran McAleavey (Banbridge) 2/1
Kelan McDonagh (Athlone) bt Alex McCloy (Ballymena) 4/3
Paul Cutler (Portstewart) bt Niall Gorey (Lee Valley) 3/2
Gary McDermott (Co. Sligo) bt Simon Ward (Co. Louth) 3/2
Aaron O’Callaghan (Douglas) bt Chris Selfridge (Moyola Park) 5/4
Richard Bridges (Stackstown) bt Rory McNamara (Headfort) 1 hole
Andrew Hogan (Newlands) bt David Kelleher (Portmarnock) 3/2
Stephen Loftus (Lahinch) bt Eoin Arthurs (Forrest Little) 4/2
Pat Murray (Limerick) bt Robert Cannon (Laytown & Bettystown) 2 holes
Rory Leonard (Banbridge) bt Reeve Whitson (Mourne) 5/3
Craig Martin (Kilkenny) bt Dara Lernihan (Castle) 1 hole
First Round – Monday 8th June
First Quarter:
Cian Curley (Newlands) bt Ryan Symington (Lisburn) 5/4
Stephen Webster (Castle) bt J P Hughes (Douglas) 2/1
Eddie McCormack (Galway) bt Patrick Sheehy (Lahinch) 5/4
Matthew McAlpin (Royal Portrush) bt Michael Durcan (Co. Sligo) 4/3
James Monaghan (The Island) bt Nicky Grant (Knock) 3/1
Darragh O’Sullivan (Strandhill) bt Mark Shanahan (West Waterford) 4/2
Michael Sinclair (Knock) bt Declan King (Tramore) at 19th
Connor Doran (Banbridge) bt Ross Oliver (Carrickfergus) 2/1
Second Quarter:
Paul Dunne (Greystones) bt Mark Collins (Mahon) 2/1
Stephen Crowe (Dunmurry) bt Jayson McIntyre (City of Derry) 6/5
Ciaran McAleavey (Banbridge) bt Stephen Moloney (Castletroy) 5/3
Paul O’Kane (Moyola Park) bt Dave O’Donovan (Muskerry) 6/4
Kelan McDonagh (Athlone) bt Byron Campbell (Malone) 1 hole
Alex McCloy (Ballymena) bt Daniel Beattie (Whitehead) 1 hole
Niall Gorey (Lee Valley) bt David Reilly (Westmanstown) 4/3
Paul Cutler (Portstewart) bt Andrew McCormick (Scrabo) at 22nd
Third Quarter:
Simon Ward (Co. Louth) bt Garreth Bohill (Co. Louth) 3/2
Gary McDermott (Co. Sligo) bt Fergal Rafferty (Dungannon) 2/1
Aaron O’Callaghan (Douglas) bt Kenneth Irwin (Castlebar) 2/1
Chris Selfridge (Moyola Park) bt Ciaran O’Connor (Athlone) 3/2
Rory McNamara (Headfort) bt Dermot McElroy (Ballymena) 2/1
Richard Bridges (Stackstown) bt Jonathan Gourley (Holywood) 2 holes
David Kelleher (Portmarnock) bt Simon McConnell (Ballyclare) at 20th
Andrew Hogan (Newlands) bt Darren Crowe (Dunmurry) 4/2
Fourth Quarter:
Eoin Arthurs (Forrest Little) bt James Patterson (Knock) 3/2
Stephen Loftus (Lahinch) bt Liam Mulligan (Stackstown) 4/3
Robert Cannon (Laytown & Bettystown) bt Joe Lyons (Galway) 3/2
Pat Murray (Limerick) bt James Fox (Portmarnock) 1 hole
Reeve Whitson (Mourne) bt Gary O’Flaherty (Cork) 3/2
Rory Leonard (Banbridge) bt Thomas O’Flynn (Fota Island) 2/1
Craig Martin (Kilkenny) bt Stephen Dwyer (Newlands) 5/4
Dara Lernihan (Castle) bt Kieran Canty (Douglas) 4/3