Irish trio looking good at Oxfordshire

John Kelly, Mick Collins and David Higgins look certain to progress to the second stage of the European Tour Qualifying School.

Mick CollinsThe Irish trio completed their weather delayed third rounds at the Oxfordshire on Friday morning with Kelly the best place after a 69 left him alone in fifth place on nine under par.

Collins posted a two under par 70 to share sixth on eight under with Waterville man Higgins sharing 18th on four under after a 73.

The top 27 and ties (three under after 3 rounds) will go through to Stage Two in November which means that Damien Mooney (T29), Peter O'Keeffe (T33), Chris Devlin (T39) and Tim Rice and Cian Curley (T44) must break par this afternoon to have any chance.

Richard Kilpatrick and Mark Staunton made the 54-hole cut on the five over par mark but the dream is over for another for  Darren McWilliams, Greg Bowden and Glen Robinson.

Niall Kearney and Mervyn Owens are in position to qualify at Fleesensee in Germany while in France, Eddie Barr and Cian McNamara went into the final round inside the qualifying places.