• Irish Open, Round One

Clarke continues his Ryder Cup push at Irish Open

Rory McIlroy hit a 67 © Getty Images

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Darren Clarke improved his chances of landing a playing role at the Ryder Cup by racing into contention for the lead on day one at the Irish Open.

The Ulsterman, who has been named as one of Colin Montgomerie's vice-captains for the October tournament, shot a five-under 66 to leave him two behind frontrunner David Howell.

Clarke currently lies 21st in the European points list - the top nine automatically qualify for a place in the Ryder Cup team - but his dramatic late attempt to snatch a place in the European party continues to gather pace.

He roared back into contention with a second-placed finish at July's Scottish Open, which he followed with Thursday's blemish-free round at the Killarney Club that clearly displayed the confidence that is once again coursing through his veins.

It was Howell who set the pace, however, with a seven-under 64 that put him one ahead of Richard Green and Damien McGrane. Howell, who has slumped to 479 in the world rankings, admitted after he finished that he had been toiling with all aspects of his game in recent months.

"It's been very hard [not to play to potential]," he said. "When you go to work every day and do your job particularly poorly, when you know you can do it well, it can be particularly soul destroying. There's been some hard times but I've kept battling."

Elsewhere, Rory McIlroy did not look haunted by the disappointment he suffered at the British Open earlier this month as he made his first appearance since the St Andrews event. The world No. 8 grabbed a share of the lead on the first day of that Major, but he followed that with an 80 that effectively put paid to his chances of victory.

The Quail Hollow winner was forced to battle hard in Ireland, finishing with three birdies in the final five holes after being forced to endure a difficult period in the middle stages of his four-under round of 67.

Major-winning duo Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell went round in 68 and 70 respectively, while Robert Rock was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard.

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