Leading by six shots after the third round, Tiarnan McLarnon (Massereene) competing on the final day of the Irish Youths Amateur Close Championshipl at Claremorris Golf Club today (30/08/2013). Picture by Pat Cashman/www.cashmanphotography.ie Massereene’s Tiarnan McLarnon streaked six shots clear of the field in the Irish Youth Amateur Close with one under 72 in the third round at Claremorris this morning.

Four clear overnight following his sensational second round 66, McLarnon lead by six from Rosslare’s Gary Collins (73) on 10 under par as Whitehead’s John Ross Galbraith slipped to joint fifth after a 76.

Cork’s John Hickey shot the best round of the morning, a three-under 70 to leave him in a tie for third with Stackstown’s Shaun Carter.

But Tullamore’s Stuart Grehan, the defending champion, is 10 shots off the pace heading into the final round despite shooting a two under 71.

Another Offaly man, Esker Hills Alan Lowry (younger brother of European Tour player Shane Lowry) also shot 71 to move up to solo seventh on one under.

Cork’s John Hickey posted the best score of the third round in the Irish Youths Amateur Close Championship at Claremorris Golf Club today. Picture by Pat Cashman

Irish Youths Amateur Close, Claremorris (Par 73)

After 54 holes

209 T McLarnon (Massereene) 71 66 72

215 G Collins (Rosslare) 72 70 73

216 J Hickey (Cork) 73 73 70, S Carter (Stackstown) 71 71 74

217 J Galbraith (Whitehead) 72 69 76, E Griffin (Waterford) 69 74 74

218 A Lowry (Esker Hills) 75 72 71

219 S Grehan (Tullamore) 74 74 71

220 D Reddan (Nenagh) 74 71 75, R Mullarney (Galway) 72 76 72, A Doran (Ardee) 72 72 76

221 L Harnett (Milltown) 75 72 74, R Pierse (Grange) 70 78 73

222 M McClean (Balmoral) 79 72 71, C Butler (Kinsale) 76 74 72

223 D Carey (Carton House) 76 73 74

224 K Lynch (Skibbereen) 77 72 75, T O’Driscoll (Ring Of Kerry) 77 72 75, C Coyne (Youghal) 74 73 77

226 C Kennedy (Forrest Little) 76 75 75, E Farrell (Ardee) 76 74 76, B McCormack (Castle Barna) 73 76 77

227 S bleakley (Shandon Park) 78 71 78, C Purcell (Portmarnock) 76 75 76

228 E O’Donovan (Craddockstown) 80 72 76, P Tobin (Mahon) 76 74 78, D O’Connor (Athlone) 76 73 79, M Boucher (Carton House) 74 77 77

229 C Geraghty (Laytown & Bettystown) 80 71 78, B Murray (Waterford Castle) 78 71 80, G Young (Birr) 75 77 77

230 R McKinstry (Cairndhu) 83 69 78, C Crowley (Woodbrook) 78 72 80, S Winsby (Whitehead) 76 73 81

231 K McCarron (North West) 75 77 79, T Collins (Dun Laoghaire) 74 77 80

232 G MacNamara (Woodbrook) 77 75 80

234 S McGagh (Claremorris) 78 74 82

235 R O’Connor (Co. Sligo) 75 76 84