Matteo Manassero leads Irish Open through two rounds with Rory McIlroy two back

Manassero shoots 65 to take two-shot lead into weekend

Matteo Manassero fired a superb 65 to take a two-shot lead after the second round of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Royal County Down on Friday. The Italian, who won the event as an amateur in 2009, birdied three of his last four holes to move to 10 under par, two ahead of Sweden's Alex Noren.

McIlroy two shots off the lead

Rory McIlroy, who is looking to win the Irish Open for the first time, is two shots off the lead after a second round of 67. The Northern Irishman made a brilliant start to his round with four birdies in his first six holes, but he dropped a shot on the 11th and failed to pick up another birdie on the back nine.

Other contenders

Other contenders include Scotland's Russell Knox, who is three shots off the lead after a 68, and England's Eddie Pepperell, who is four shots back after a 69. The cut was made at two over par, with 75 players making it through to the weekend.

Quotes from Manassero, McIlroy, and Noren

"I'm very happy with my round today," said Manassero. "I hit the ball very well and made some good putts. I'm in a good position going into the weekend, but there's still a lot of golf to be played."

"I'm pleased with my start to the tournament," said McIlroy. "I played well today, but I made a couple of mistakes on the back nine. I'm still in the hunt, but I need to play better over the weekend."

"I'm happy with my round today," said Noren. "I played very solidly and made some good putts. I'm looking forward to the weekend."