Jonathan Caldwell and Cormac Sharvin are well placed going into the weekend at the Celtic Classic in the City of Newport.
Both players shot under par rounds to remain in contention ahead of the third round at the former Ryder Cup course at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales.
Caldwell began the day well, bouncing back from the two late bogeys in his opening round to return to five under par at the sixth hole with his second birdie of the day.
The County Down man remained on five under at the turn before picking up another birdie on the 11th to move to six under and into the top 20.
More birdies followed on 11 and 14 for a round of 66, as Caldwell reach the half-way stage on eight under in a tie for sixth place.
Sharvin posted a four-under 67 to add to his opening-day, level-par 71 and sits inside the top 30.
England's Sam Horsfield is in pole position to claim his second European Tour title in the space of three weeks after a roller-coaster finish to the day.
Horsfield, who won the Hero Open at Hanbury Manor a fortnight ago, holed a bunker shot for a birdie on the 16th, ran up a triple bogey on the 17th and then eagled the last at Celtic Manor in a second round of 64.
At 11 under par, the Florida-based 23-year-old holds a one-shot lead over Belgium's Thomas Pieters, with Andrew Johnston, Callum Shinkwin and Thomas Detry another stroke adrift on nine under.
Meanwhile, Gavin Moynihan improved on his opening 74 but failed to make the cut, finishing on three over after a 71.
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley also misses out on the weekend, following over par rounds of 75 and 74
