Overnight leader Finland’s Miko Ilonen tee’s off after McDowell at 12.30pm and will play with England’s Robert Rock.

Play got underway before 7am at the Cork venue and 2012 Ryder cup captain Joe Maria Olazabal has already dropped three shots and moves to three-over.

Portugal’s Ricardo Santos has had the best morning, picking up three shots on the opening nine holes and is now seven shots off the leader.

Of the Irish currently on the course, 43-year-old Dubliner John G Kelly birdied the second bringing him to one-under-par after the first nine.

Peter Lawrie has started solidly and is level-par after the first two holes. Lawrie got under just after 8.30am.

The rest of the Irish get under way throughout the morning with Graeme McDowell in contention for the tournament just two shots behind Miko Ilonen.

.@DarrenClarke60 on the putting green moments ago, he has just teed off with Ross Fisher! #2014IrishOpen pic.twitter.com/XlEryEyJLD

— Amgen Irish Open (@IrishOpen_) June 21, 2014

McDowell has never won the Irish Open and told Sky Sports: "There's always a first time for everything."

“I've been unhappy with my game now for a few months, really getting frustrated with myself in general and trying to be a little too perfect.”

“I tried to loosen myself up a little bit and try to enjoy my golf a little bit. I'm surprised and excited to be in contention.”

"Normally there's some pressure and expectation in the Irish Open. I think maybe coming off the US Open last week, with as much pressure, frustration and expectation as you feel there - perhaps that's why I'm dealing with it a little bit better because it nearly feels like the proverbial walk in the park by comparison.”

Padraig Harrington, who has shown a return to form at Fota Island, tees off at 11.54pm. Five shots off the lead Harrington plays with Italy’s Edoardo Molinari.

Yet another glorious morning here at Fota Island for day 3 @IrishOpen2014 Leaders off at 12.30. pic.twitter.com/RdaCgWW6QX

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 21, 2014

Darren Clarke made the cut by two strokes on two-under par and gets his third round underway at 9.20am.

34-year-old Ballymoney man Michael Hoey has a mid morning start at 10.37am, will look to build on his three-under-par opening two rounds.

Belfast man Gareth Maybin starts three minutes after midday and is four shots off the lead at six-under-par.

The only remaining amateur Gareth Hurley, on five-under-par, tees off at 10.45am and may just have Shane Lowry’s 2009 win on his mind.