Just two Irish players are bang on course to make this week’s European Tour Qualifying School Finals with just one round to go at the second stage in Spain.

More than 300 players, across four venues in southern Spain are bidding for a place at the six-round final stage at PGA Catalunya near Girona from December 10-15.

But with only today’s fourth and final round remaining, only Dubliner Neil O’Briain and Galwayman Mark Staunton are inside the top 20 who are sure to progress from each venue.

Limerick’s Cian McNamara, Waterville’s David Higgins, former Shamrock Rovers footballer Stephen Grant and Clandeboye’s Jonny Caldwell still within striking distance with a good final round.

But even if they make it through, they know that they must then finish inside the top 30 and ties after six gruellings rounds at the final stage to secure modest playing rights on the 2012 European Tour.

O’Briain is the best of the bunch, tied for ninth at La Manga on seven under par following a two under 71 in Sunday’s third round. The top 20 there are on six under or better, leaving Mick McGeady with a lot of work to do after a 74 relegated him to tied 32nd on two under.

As for Glasson’s Colm Moriarty, he’s seven shots off that pace on one over following a disappointing 74 at the Murcia venue.

Ballinalsoe native Staunton stormed home in 31 at El Valle in Murcia to share 19th spot on two under par with former Hoops star Grant just a shot further back in joint 24th.

The Birr man looked certain to miss out at four over par at halfway but he produced a brilliant, five under par 66 on Sunday to keep his dream alive at one under par.

Ballymena’s Chris Devlin went the opposite direction with a 75 but is still not out of the running as he share 27th place on one over par.

Things will be a lot tougher for Muskerry’s Niall Turner at the same venue as he posted a third round 74 to slide to 33rd on two over.

There are no Irish players in action at Costa Ballena but Limerick star McNamara is just a shot outside the top 20 at Las Colinas in Alicante.

The 25-year old former South of Ireland champion posted a level par 71 to share 24th place on two under with Higgins two shots outside the mark after a third round 75 saw him crash from fourth to 32nd alongside Cork’s Aaron O’Callaghan (70) on one under.

Niall Kearney gave himself some hope with a 68 that left him just three shots shy of the top 20 on level par with Brendan McCarroll at the back of the field on 17 over.

Ireland will host the International European Amateur Championship for the first time in the event’s 25-year history next year.

The Montgomerie Course at Carton House will test the best amateur players from across the world from August 8-11.

Some of the biggest names in the world of professional golf have captured the European Individual title on their way to global success – including current US Open champion and current World No. 2 Rory McIlroy.

The championship is one of only four on the World Amateur Golf Rankings points system with “elite” status – the other three being the Asian Amateur, British Amateur and US Amateur Championships.

Irish players have been particularly successful at the event. McIlroy’s victory in 2006 earned him a place in the 2007 Open Championship, where he shot the best round of the opening day and announced his talent to the world by going on to win the Silver Medal awarded to the leading amateur  that week.

His win was the fourth Irish victory in the championship following Paddy Gribben in 1998, Stephen Browne in 2001 and Brian McElhinney in 2003.

Prominent past winners also include five-time Ryder Cup star Sergio Garcia, France’s European Tour stalwart Gregory Havret – who finished runner-up at the US Open in 2010 – and Sweden’s Carl Pettersson, who held off Graeme McDowell in 2000.

Albert Lee, Honorary Secretary of the Golfing Union of Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be selected to host the European Individual Championship and look forward to welcoming the cream of world amateur golf to Ireland next August.

“We are also thrilled that the championship will be played on the Montgomerie Course at Carton House, as I’m sure it will be both an enjoyable experience and a stern test for such an elite field.”

Stephen Dodd and Thomas Bjorn won the Irish Open over the Mongomerie Course in 2005 and 2006 respectively while Welshman Craig Smith won the 2004 Irish Amateur Open there.