ADARE (Reuters) - French-born rookie Michael Lorenzo-Vera was the surprise leader by one stroke at the halfway mark of the Irish Open on Friday.

His second round 70, which included three birdies, followed an opening 68, taking him to six-under-par at the Adare Manor course ahead of Germany's Marcel Siem (71).

The Biarritz-born golfer is competing in only his 14th full Tour event after last year becoming the first Frenchman to finish as leading graduate from the secondary Challenge Tour.

Australian Richard Green let slip his share of the opening round lead but remains in contention to record his first win this year despite carding a 74. He shares third spot on four-under par with Spain's Pablo Larrazabal (70).

Ireland's Padraig Harrington (71), who birdied his last hole to finish at one-under, still has a chance to retain the title.

The 23-year-old Lorenzo-Vera is no stranger to heading the field at a European Tour event in his rookie season having led after the opening two days of last month's China Open before finishing runner-up to Ireland's Damien McGrane.

It is that experience in Beijing that he hopes will help him secure a first Tour victory on Ireland's west coast.

SAME GAME

"There are so many players who play well in the first two rounds and fall away after that so I will try to keep the same game and hope it is good enough," said the Frenchman.

"But Ireland has been good to me as I was second in a Challenge Tour event at Athone and I played well in an amateur event in Lahinch so I'll just try and do the same or better."

Green began the day tied for the lead but struggled under the weight of four bogeys on the front nine and then let slip a share of second place when he dropped a shot at the last.

Darren Clarke leads a group of six on three-under after a 69 boosted his hopes of a second Tour win this year.

He is tied with fellow Ryder Cup player Robert Karlsson (70) and another Swede Johan Edfors (73), Spaniard Alvaro Velasco (72) and Peter Baker (69) and Bradley Dredge (73)

Ireland's Paul McGinley (69) and Rory McIlroy (72) -- are also well within sight of the lead at two-under.

The 19-year-old McIlroy dropped three shots early in his round but recovered with three birdies in the last 15 holes.

"I'm only four off the lead which I'm quite surprised at," he said. "I thought the guys might have kicked on a bit but I'm happy to be where I am and in good position for the weekend.

"Hopefully, I can play well tomorrow and get myself in contention," added McIlroy.

(Editing by Ken Ferris)