Consecutive victories over mini-group hosts Portugal (1-0) and Israel (5-1) had secured Ireland's progression into the next phase as one of the two qualifiers from the group. To be sure of advancing as group winner, they needed just to avoid defeat but Dave Connell's side produced an emphatic victory.
Ireland didn't waste time and were four goals to the good by just past the half hour mark. Aileen Gilroy struck a brace, on 11 and 24 minutes, which was sandwiched in between by Ciara Grant's 18th minute striker. Siobhan Killeen ensured the game as a contest was over the break by adding a fourth on 31 minutes.
Ireland's tempo didn't let up and they created a series of chances to enhance their advantage. Captain Dora Gorman made it 5-0 just short of the hour before the impressive Lauren Murphy completed the scoring on 70 minutes.
The Irish, buoyed with a 100% record in this series of qualifiers, now progress to the elite phase. Another four-nation group awaits them, from which the group winners, , along with the best runner-up across to the pools, seal a place in the finals to be held in Antaya, Turkey, during July 2012.
Republic of Ireland U-19s: Maloney (Budden, 79), O'Brien, Byrne, Glesson, Farmer, Murphy, Grant (Donnelly, 61), Gorman, Killeen, Gilroy, Shine (Lynch, 73).
Source - fai.ie
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