Michael Hoey birdied four of his opening six holes on Friday

Micheal Hoey holds a one-shot lead at the Madeira Open but only after fellow Northern Ireland player Michael McGeady double-bogeyed his final hole.

Hoey fired a five-under-par 66 in Friday's second round to move to seven under while McGeady is in a group of three on six under after a 67.

Damien McGrane is well placed on four under after a 72.

Jonathan Caldwell missed the cut after a 74 left him eight over and Simon Thornton was 18 over after a 77.

Hoey carded six birdies and a bogey in an impressive round and the Belfast man is high in confidence after his joint second finish in the African Open in January.

"I'm taking a more relaxed view and it's paying off so far," he told European Tour Radio.

"You can put yourself under too much pressure in this game and I just told myself to chill out basically."

Derry's McGeady, who started on the 10th, took over top spot when he birdied the eighth but quickly dropped back after taking a five at the par-three ninth.

McGeady shares second place with Argentina's Estanisiao Goya and Joakim Haeggman of Sweden.

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