Neil Manchip and Damian Mooney will be the final paring in round three of the Ladbrokes.com PGA Championship on Saturday having both finished on 5 under at the halfway stage at Seapoint Golf Club in County Louth.
The second last pairing sees 2010 Glenmuir PGA Championship winner, David Mortimer of FORE Ireland, play Ulster PGA Championship winner, Barrie Trainor of Team Ireland.
The pre-tournament favourite, Damien McGrane, plays with David Higgins, the leader of the 2010 Lexus Race to Mount Juliet in association with PING, and a 12/1 shot for the title.
The 3 Irish Open winner from last year - on the neighbouring County Louth course - Shane Lowry, is paired with Jimmy Bolger.
Des Smyth and Glen Robinson are together and set out in the 22nd pairing of a total of twenty six.
On Friday Damien Mooney posted a one-over-par 73 - after his opening round of 67 - and made the turn in two under par only to bogey 15, 17 and 18, for an inward run of 39.
"It is very tough out there and the finishing holes are right into the strong wind. Still, I'm very pleased with the way that I am playing and we will see what happens over the weekend," he said.
Neil Manchip, who won the title in 1999, and has been unable to combine his teaching duties with the GUI national teams over the past four years, added a level-par-72 to his opening 67 to stay very much in contention.
David Mortimer moved up the leader board with a second round of 70 that included three birdies and will keen to reclaim the title he won in 2006.
Mark Staunton of FORE Ireland carded a 73 to finish one over par in a share of 11th place going into the weekend.
Four time winner,Philip Walton made the homeward journey from the eleventh in level par having triple bogeyed the par five 10th hole to finish with a 77 for a 6 over par total.
Kevin Dorrian of Scrabo was one shot further back on 7 over after a first round of 76.
Michael Collins made a strong recovery from his first round 78 to finish with a 73 - that included an eagle on the par five 10th - to finish inside the cut on +7.
