McGinley (L) and Harrington (R) will be carrying home hopes

No home player has won the title since John O'Leary at Portmanock in 1982, and this year's event is at Carton House, designed by Colin Montgomerie.

"We would all love to win it of course, but that doesn't make it harder when you're in contention," said McGinley.

"Pressure's when you fight to make a cut because you're not playing well."

Six years ago, Harrington finished joint second in the tournament and as the current world number nine, is the one of whom most will be expected.

But this is his first European Tour appearance of the season and despite his first American tour triumph in March, off-the-course problems have made for an inconsistent season so far.

Montgomerie has an impressive record at the tournament, winning it three times in six years, and he will be competing again this year.

So is Jose-Maria Olazabal, who will be hoping to win the title for the second time, and comes into the tournament on a run of four top-10 finishes in his last six starts.