International Report: Republic of Ireland Women U19 0 - 1 Germany Women U19

Dave Connell’s Republic of Ireland under-19s bounced back from an opening night defeat to Germany by producing an excellent display in a 3-0 victory against Azerbaijan at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday evening.

A first-half strike from Roma McLaughlin, along with second-half goals from Hayley Nolan and Niamh Prior, ensured the Girls in Green kept alive their hopes of qualification.

It was the visitors who had the game’s first chance inside the opening 30 seconds, Yaiza Relea’s effort flashing across goal before sailing wide.

As Ireland gradually began to find a footing in the game towards the end of the opening ten minutes, Jessica Gargan flashed a headed effort over the crossbar from inside the penalty spot.

Moments later, Ireland was almost punished for a sloppy kick-out from Brooke Dunne. However, Relea’s effort cannoned off the crossbar.

With quarter of an hour on the clock, Ireland took the lead when Prior played a lovely weighted through ball to McLaughlin, who fired past Sharifova

As Ireland continued to build pressure and search for second goal both Jamie Finn and Savannah McCarthy fired wide for the hosts.

McLaughlin was next Ireland player to try her luck when Diana Mammadova mishit her headed clearance and the ball fell to the Peamount player, but she failed to trouble the visiting keeper.

Soon after, Prior had a long range effort that skimmed the woodwork before the visitors cleared possession.

With half-time fast approaching, Ireland should have made it 2-0 when Dearbhaile Beirne found herself in acres of space after she latched on back pass, but the winger hesitated and her shot forced an excellent save by Sharifova.

When the sides emerged after the half-time Ireland continued their first-half dominance with Finn having the half;s first effort. Some strong persistence from McLaughlin inside the visitors’ box saw the goalkeeper hand possession to Finn, but her effort took a deflection before going behind for a corner.

Ireland grabbed their second of the game on the hour mark after a dangerous McLaughlin free-kick on the edge of the box was blocked by the wall before the forward raced onto the rebound and was fouled in the box. Hayley Nolan made no mistake from the spot, despatching the ball low into the left corner.

With 20 minutes remaining, Ireland grabbed their third after an imaginative pass from McLaughlin found Beirne down the right flank. She cut in and shot, and her effort was palmed away by Sharifova before Prior fired home from close range.

As Azerbaijan continued to struggle to find a way outside their own half, Relea had their best chance of the half when her long range free-kick was easily gathered by Dunne.

Moments later, Rachel Kearns was unlucky not to direct a wicked low cross towards goal, the substitute just failing to connect with her outstretched foot.

Kearns was again involved in the game's next chance as this time her effort from the edge of the box was easily gathered by the keeper.

After tonight’s victory, Ireland finish their campaign at Tallaght Stadium against Poland knowing a victory will leave them with an outside chance of qualification.

Republic of Ireland Under-19s Women: Brooke Dunne; Niamh Nelson, Savannah McCarthy, Keeva Keenan, Niamh Prior; Lucy McCartan, Hayley Nolan, Jessica Gargan (Rachel Kearns HT); Jamie Finn (Jessica Nolan 55), Dearbhaile Beirne, Roma McLaughlin (Megan Lynch 73).

Subs Not Used: Amanda McQuillan, Chloe Moloney, Evelyn Daly, Sophie Watters.

Booked: Megan Lynch (85).

Azerbaijan Under-19s Women: Aytaj Sharifova; Samara Ortiz, Diana Mammadova, Vesela Borukova, Lucia Sanchez; Natalia Loa, Malena Ortiz (Merve Ozdemir 65), Aysun Aliyeva (Firangiz Teymurova 78); Nigar Jalill, Yaiza Relea, Kristina Bakaradze (Susan Mansimova 82).

Subs Not Used: Gunay ?smayilova, Alina Michaelis, Male Mollayeva, Firangiz Teymurova, Gizem Tenekeci.

Booked: Yaiza Relea (52), Kristina Bakaradze (58), Aytaj Sharifova (90+3).

Referee: Ana Minic (Serbia).

Attendance: 253.

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Roma McLaughlin (Ireland).