Rocca & Harrington tied for lead

The cream rose to the top of the leaderboard at the West of Ireland Classic to set up a mouthwatering battle for victory and crucial Ryder Cup points in Galway.

Costantino Rocca and Padraig Harrington ended the day tied for the lead on 10 under par, with England's Gary Evans just one shot back.

Rocca and Harrington both desperately need to win the top prize of £41,000 to give themselves a chance of making Mark James' European side with only one further qualifying event remaining.

And they put themselves in pole position with matching battling rounds of 68 in testing conditions to edge ahead of the rest of the field.

Rocca has played in the last three competitions, memorably beating world number one Tiger Woods in the singles at Valderrama in 1997 to help steer Europe to victory.

After a disappointing season so far, hindered by a finger injury suffered when trying to open a bottle of wine with a knife, the popular Italian however finds himself only 24th in the points standings.

But he has responded well to the pressure and after a fourth place finish in the Smurfit European Open a fortnight ago has raised hopes of qualifying or at least figuring in James' wild card selections.

A birdie at the first gave him the perfect start to his third round and an eagle three at the sixth helped him reach the turn in 32 and claim the lead.

Two bogeys then followed on the 11th and 12th before Rocca regained his composure with birdies on the 15th and 16th to remain on target for a first tournament win since the 1997 European Masters.

"I played very good and I'm happy," said the 42-year-old former factory worker from Bergamo. "These were not easy conditions.

"I played well and have a chance tomorrow and will try to make it."

Harrington was similarly pleased with his round of five birdies and one dropped shot that delighted the local crowds.

"I can't ask for more than this position," Harrington said. "Well, I'd prefer a 10 shot lead but I'm not complaining, I got the most out of that round. I had a few good ups and downs.

"I played the first two rounds with Costantino so he knows what to expect from me and I know what to expect from him."

Rocca and Harrington will have a one-shot lead over Evans in the final round with Ireland's Des Smyth a shot further behind on eight under after a 69, with third round leader Eric Carlberg and Surrey's Andrew Raitt on seven under.

They will not have it all their own way however with Evans (71) confident he will be the man to beat as he seeks a first elusive tour victory after seven barren years.

"I played great, really good but putted average. I couldn't get the ball in the hole," said Evans who had needed only 22 putts in his second round course record 66.

"I am playing so consistently and eventually consistency pays off. If I play like that tomorrow no-one else will win the tournament, I just need to hole a few putts."

Raitt, who describes himself as an Anglo-Scot thanks to a Scottish father and English mother, should have been delighted with his course record equalling 66.

But after dropping shots on the last two holes the 29-year-old was fuming that an even better score had slipped away.

"That finish left a sour taste in the mouth," he said. "I wanted to make as many birdies as I could and that's the first time I've made 10 birdies on the European Tour.

"I'm gutted to finish as I did. I missed three 10 footers in the last four holes plus a 12-foot putt for an eagle at the 16th.

"I hadn't played very well all year and was just starting to hit the ball well but I have a hook and I was afraid of it near the finish."