World Cup Qualifier: Ireland 2 - 0 Slovenia

The Republic of Ireland brought their home qualification campaign to a close with a fine two nil win over Slovenia at Tallaght Stadium.

The goals came either side of the break from UCD Waves winger Julie Ann Russell and Notts County forward Fiona O’Sullivan in what was Niamh Fahey’s 50th international cap for the Girls in Green.

Proceedings could not have begun with more gusto than they did for the home side. Less than two minute into the encounter, Dora Gorman won a free kick midway inside the Slovenian half, wide on the left.

Russell stood over the free kick, and after sizing up her options, looped a right footed effort over despairing Slovenian stopper Lucija Mori to give Ireland an early lead.

Russell was again at the heart of the Irish offensive in the 12th minute as she stormed past Tina Marolt on the left. She crossed for Fiona O’Sullivan but her header was cleared back to Russell.

Undeterred, the UCD Waves winger picked out Diane Caldwell but this time her header was saved well by Mori and eventually hacked to safety.

Ireland continued to dominate in every aspect of the affair with Russell the star, midway through the first half she tested Mori again. The keeper held it well again but the signs were bright for Sue Ronan’s charges.

Slovenia finally made inroads into the Irish box eight minutes from the break. On both occasions it was through skipper Mateja Zver, unfortunately for her though, none of her team mates could latch onto the crosses.

The visitors started the second period in much swifter fashion than the first, creating the half’s first chance. Niamh Fahey hacked a clearance straight to Erzen, the striker’s subsequent volley dipped over Emma Byrne’s crossbar.

Slovenia should have been level just before the hour, but for a post and some good fortune for the girls in green. Erzen broke the offside trap before sneaking a low effort under Byrne.

It bounced off the post, hit the Arsenal keeper in the back and trickled, onto but not over the line before Byrne recovered to spare Irish blushes.

Ireland continued to look a shadow of their first half selves and were handed a second slice of fortune from the woodwork, minutes after the first.

Slovene captain Zver tried her luck from all of forty yard out, it had Byrne rattled, but it did the same to the crossbar and swished back to safety.

Ireland grew into the game again once Shannon Smyth came on and almost doubled their lead on 73 minutes when Ruesha Littlejohn had an opportunity. Her shot was on target, before it was deflected wide by a Slovene defender.

The girls in green did bag a second moments later though, and in fine fashion too. O’Gorman swung in a cross from the right, Fiona O’Sullivan chested it down before a half volley under Mori to put the game beyond Slovenia.

Slovenia could not muster a consolation and Ireland now go on to try and finish their campaign on a high with away games against Slovakia and Germany.

Republic of Ireland: Emma Byrne; Aine O’Gorman, Louise Quinn, Niamh Fahey, Karen Duggan; Diane Caldwell, Dora Gorman (Ruesha Littlejohn 46); Stephanie Roche (Siobhan Killeen 59), Denise O’Sullivan (Shannon Smyth 66), Julie Ann Russell; Fiona O’Sullivan

Subs not used: Niamh Reid Burke (GK), Sophie Perry, Meabh De Burca, Ciara Grant.

Slovenia: Lucija Mori; Tina Marolt (Barbara Kralj 51), Anisa Rola, Evelina Kos,Tjasa Tibaut; Andreja Nikl, Lucija Grad, Urska Zganec, Kaja Jerina (Sara Ketis 76); Mateja Zver; Kaja Erzen

Booked: Marolt (21), Zganec (43)

Subs not used: Eva Vamberger (GK), Marusa Sevsek, Kristina Erman, Manja Rogan, Vanja Siljak.

Referee: Linn Anderson (Sweden)

Attendance: 1,242

Extratime.ie Player of the match: Julie-Ann Russell (Republic of Ireland)