Donaldson in contention

Donaldson leads the Welsh challenge in Ireland

Welshman Jamie Donaldson kept in touch with the leaders at the Smurfit European Open with a second round 71.

But the 26-year-old was left ruing a bogey on the final hole which dropped him down from a tie for second place to join a host of pursuers on three under par.

New Zealander Michael Campbell leads the field on five under par, with England's Barry Lane one shot adrift.

Donaldson's round at the K Club near Dublin on Thursday included birdies at the eighth, tenth and 15th.

But bogeys at the 12th and 18th checked his progress up the leaderboard.

Earlier, Phil Price was forced to retire from the tournament because of a neck injury.

Phil Price felt the pain in Dublin

Welshman Price, who will make his Ryder Cup debut in September, decided to call it a day after 10 holes of his second round.

The 35-year-old shot a disappointing three over par opening round of 75 on Thursday, but started brightly on day two with an early birdie.

Two double bogeys and a bogey soon followed, though, to leave him on eight over par and some 14 shots behind the early leaders.

One of Price's playing partners, fellow Ryder Cup debutant Pierre Fulke, also retired with injury.

Fulke headed for the clubhouse after nine holes of round two with a score of 12 over par.

Their departures left Campbell without a playing, so a marker had to be called in.

"Pierre and Phillip were both apologetic and there's no animosity whatsoever," said Campbell after adding a 71 to his opening 68 for a halfway total of 139.

"You have to look after your own health and there's two big weeks coming up with the Scottish Open and Open."

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Leaderboard:

5 under - Michael Campbell (Nzl) 68 71
4 under - Barry Lane 69 71
3 under - Paul Lawrie 70 71, Jamie Donaldson 70 71, Joakim Haeggman (Swe) 68 73, Darren Fichardt (Rsa) 67 74
2 under - Robert Karlsson (Swe) 70 72, Jarrod Moseley (Aus) 67 75

Selected others:

2 over - Mark Mouland 70 76
3 over - Ian Woosnam 73 74
8 over - Stephen Dodd 74 78, Phil Price (retired)