McDermott leads high-powered field at Slieve Russell

Michael McDermott leads a high-powered field after the opening round of the Slieve Russell Masters Pro-Am in Co Cavan.

The Pure Golf Leopardstown pro carded a six-under-par 66 to knock early leader John Kelly (St Margaret's Golf & CC) off top spot heading into today's second and final round.

McDermott, who won the Athenry Pro-Am in May, made a poor start to his round, dropping a shot at the par-four first, but after that hiccup he played some superb golf, picking up birdies at the third, sixth, seventh and eighth.

He maintained his momentum into the back nine, collecting three more birdies at the 11^th, 13^th and 18^th to take a one shot lead into Tuesday's final 18 holes.

Kelly, the reigning Order of Merit champion, was out in three-under 33 after starting at the 10^th but was becalmed somewhat on the back nine before two late birdies saw him sign for a 67.

Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin GC) and John Dwyer (Ashbourne GC) are still very much in the hunt after carding opening 69s, while Brendan McGovern (Headfort GC), Paul Masterson (Coollatin GC) and Damien Mooney (Ballyliffin GC) are a shot further back on two-under-par (70).

With one round remaining, the amateur team event looks to be a showdown between David Ruddy (98) and Brendan McGovern (97).