Limerick's Conor Niland, a brother of Ireland number one Gina, is the player in form poised to make a big impact in this weeks Dunlop-sponsored Irish Open Junior championships at Fitzwilliam.

Niland, the top seed in the boys' intermediate singles, is especially aware of his bright prospects since beating his nearest rival Stephen Nugent, the number two seed, for the East of Ireland title recently.

The talented Limerick boy got through yesterday's first round with consummate ease, a fairly brief straight sets win over David Fluskey.

Humidity has generally proved the most intimidating test for the top seeds so far. Munster would appear to have a strong claim on both intermediate crowns, with Elsa O'Riain of Cork heading the list of seeds in the girls' event.

There was an early surprise, though, in the junior singles when Munster's Clodagh McMorrow, seeded at six, was beaten by Naomi Martin in a demanding three-setter.

McMorrow's challenge was expected to last much longer and she did seem to have matters under control through the first set which she pocketed for the loss of two games.

Martin proved the more resilient when the extra effort was demanded and she won convincingly in the end, 2-6 63 6-4.

Another Munster entry, Emma Murphy, is the top seed and did nothing to detract from her favouritism to lift the title on Saturday when dealing with her opening task against Claire Thompson.

The senior boys' singles is certain to be a lot more competitive than its corresponding girls' event. Anyone of the four seeded players, Nick Malone David Mullins, Sean Cooper and Cormack Jennings, could capture the coveted title.

Malone was beaten by Mullins in the recent ITF world ranking points event.