Irish champion Shane Lowry and Royal Dublin's Niall Kearney were the only Irishmen to make the cut in the Lytham Trophy.

Esker Hills international Lowry carded a second round 73 but is eight strokes behind England's Luke Goddard on five-over par 145.

Overnight leader Goddard, 19, added a 71 to his opening 66 to lead by three shots on three-under par from compatriots David Coupland and Matthew Haines.

Dubliner Kearney had a 72 to lie nine adrift on 146 but the rest of the Irish failed to break 80 and missed the seven over par-qualifying mark for Sunday's final 36 holes.

There has been no Irish winner since Martin Sludds lifted prestigious "Sputnik Trophy" awarded to the champion in 1982.

137 Luke Goddard (Hendon) 66 71
140 David Coupland (Boston) 69 71, Matthew Haines (Rochester and Cobham) 68 72
--
145 Shane Lowry (Esker Hills) 72 73
146 Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin) 74 72

Cut
148 Dara Lernihan (Castle) 72 76
149 Robert Cannon (Laytown & Bettystown) 69 80
153 Andrew Hogan (Newlands) 73 80
154 Pat Murray (Limerick) 71 83
158 Cian Curley (Newlands) 73 85