Watch: Leanne Kiernan and Katie McCabe on the double as Ireland cruise past Northern Ireland
Credit: Martin Doherty (ETPhotos)
Leanne Kiernan and captain Katie McCabe have both scored twice as the Republic of Ireland lead Northern Ireland 4-0 in their final World Cup qualifying game.
Both sides were already out of contention for a finals spot going into the game, which is Northern Ireland's penultimate outing, but a fourth win of the campaign never looked in doubt for Ireland.
New West Ham United signing Kiernan opened the scoring after three minutes as she bravely beat goalkeeper Jackie Burns to the ball before lifting it into an empty net.
Leanne Kiernan gives the Republic of Ireland an early lead in Tallaght https://t.co/NLf69i77vzpic.twitter.com/NdA5nV7nRD
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) August 31, 2018
McCabe doubled the scoring shortly after as Tyler Toland's shot was too hot for Burns to handle, and Rianna Jarrett teed up the rebound for the Arsenal winger to drill into the roof of the net.
Katie McCabe doubles the lead after just 11 minutes! https://t.co/NLf69i77vzpic.twitter.com/jsuMHdlDu5
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) August 31, 2018
Kiernan scored her second, and Ireland's third, before the half-hour after being played in by Denise O'Sullivan before McCabe added a second-half penalty.
Leanne Kiernan makes it 3-0 to the Republic of Ireland after 26 minutes, slotting home after being laid on by Denise O'Sullivan pic.twitter.com/UuAUnjVpTX
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) August 31, 2018
Katie McCabe side-foots home a penalty to make it 4-0 after Harriet Scott was upended - The Republic of Ireland cruising to victory in their final qualifying game pic.twitter.com/JMm0nIieDa
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) August 31, 2018
