Challenge Tour/Ireland Ryder Cup Challenge: Scotland's Peter Whiteford cruised into a two-shot lead at halfway in the Ireland Ryder Cup Challenge on a disappointing day for the home brigade in Killarney.

As Whiteford carded a second-round 67 at the Lackabane Course to lead on 12 under par from compatriot Marc Warren and England's Denny Lucas, just five of the 35 Irish players in action made the cut.

They were led by 19-year-old amateur Aaron O'Callaghan from Douglas, a quarter-finalist in the recent South of Ireland Championship at Lahinch, as he posted a one-under-par 71 for a three-under-par total of 141.

Waterville's Mark Murphy, Athlone's Colm Moriarty, Padraig Dooley of Cork and Dundalk club professional Leslie Walker were the only other Irish survivors as they finished right on the one-under-par cut line.

"I'm off to Southeastern Louisiana University next month on a scholarship so it is pleasing to be around for the weekend," said O'Callaghan. "I only finished my Leaving Certificate in June so I haven't been able to concentrate on my golf as much as I'd like."

O'Callaghan's achievement was all the more remarkable considering experienced Challenge Tour players such as Waterville's David Higgins and Belfast's Michael Hoey missed the cut after rounds of 74.

Second-placed Warren, who played with Hoey and Graeme McDowell on the victorious Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team in 2001, believes he is now ready to graduate to the main European Tour.

"Michael and I probably weren't ready to play at the top level after the Walker Cup," said Warren. "But I have improved every year since the Walker Cup and I am pretty determined to get on the Tour now because I feel ready. I would say that Michael is in a similar position."