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.