Niall Kearney and Michael McGeady best placed of Irish to make final qualifying

Niall Kearney and Michael McGeady are best placed of the eight Irish golfers battling out for a place at European Tour final qualifying going into the final round of the second stage events in Spain.

Royal Dublin golfer Kearney enjoyed his best round of the week at Lumine Beach in Tarragona, carding a bogey-free five-under-par round of 66 to move into a share of sixth position on eight under.

Seventeen golfers will qualify from each of the four venues, with North West golfer McGeady presently tied for 16th at El Saler.

McGeady carded one bogey and one birdie in a level-par 72 around the tough links course in Valencia and starts the final round on one under as he looks to book a place at next week’s final event at PGA Catalunya.

The rest of the Irish in action will need to go very low in their final rounds, with Muskerry's Niall Turner on one under after carding a one-over 72 at Las Colinas. At present the three players tied for 16th spot at the venue are on seven under.

Ruaidhri McGee carded a two-under 70 to move to five under at Panoramica in Castellon, but with six players tied for 15th spot on 10 under, the Donegal golfer will need a 65 or better to have any chance.

Gareth Shaw’s chances are all but over at the same course after a one-under 71 left him in a share of 59th spot on two under.

Back at Lumine Beach, there are currently nine golfers tied for 14th position on five under.

Waterville's David Higgins is one under entering the final round after signing for a one-under 71, with clubmate Mark Murphy on two over after a 72. Brendan McCarroll also went around in level par but at six under he stays towards the rear of the field.