Five-shot lead for Rosapenna's Frank Casey in Ulster Mid-Am

Rosapenna's Sandy Hills Links. 

Rosapenna's Frank Casey Jnr has a commanding five-stroke lead heading into the final round of the Ulster Mid-Amateur Championship on the Sandy Hills Links.

The club's estimable Director of Golf used his knowledge of his home course to great effect on Saturday when defied tough conditions to open with a 79 to share second place with Roy Connolly, just two shots behind early pace-setter Kenneth Irwin from Castlebar

(L-R) Frank Casey Jnr with his father Frank Snr and brother John at Rosapenna

But he then added a 75 in the afternoon to top the leaderboard by five-strokes on 10-over par 154 from Ballybunion's Peter Sheehan (81-78) and Order of Merit leader Eddie McCormack from Galway Bay, who added a 73 to his opening 86.

McCormack will still fancy his chance of making a charge on a course where he has triumphed in the Senior Scratch Cup. And following wins in the Connacht and Leinster Mid-Amateur Championships, he will be keen to complete a remarkable hat-trick.

Sheehan leads the Over 50s category by two strokes from Lurgan's Brian Scullion and Co Sligo's Serryth Heavey while in the Nett, four-handicapper Casey Jnr is seven ahead of Scullion on two-over.

Ulster Mid Amateur Championship, Rosapenna, Sandy Hills Links (Par 72) - Scores