Michael Lorenzo-Vera is aiming for a debut win on the tour

Frenchman Michael Lorenzo-Vera holds a one-shot lead going into the third round of the Irish Open.

The 23-year-old carded a two-under-par 70 to move to six under and one clear of German Marcel Siem.

Richard Green and Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal are joint third, while the group on three under includes Darren Clarke and Welshman Bradley Dredge.

Padraig Harrington's 71 put him on one under, while Paul McGinley and teenager Rory McIlroy are two under.

Lorenzo-Vera is playing just his 16th Tour event but has already been a runner-up in China.

Siem, a World Cup winner with Bernhard Langer two years ago, was only 127th on the Order of Merit last season and had to go back to the qualifying school to regain his card.

"It was a tough year, but I have to say my iron shots are better than I've ever hit them before," he said.

A year ago, Dredge took a double-bogey seven on the 18th to lose a play-off to Harrington, but on his return to the 548-yard hole today he hit a marvellous approach to within five feet of the flag and made the putt for an eagle.

Dredge was out on his own in front at seven under after a birdie on the first, but he covered his remaining eight holes in four over.

Harrington was far from pleased with his round but the Dubliner is in contention for the weekend.

"I definitely got frustrated out there," admitted Harrington.

"There was a big gallery and a few more birdies would certainly cheer them up and cheer me up. But I'm only five behind."