Ireland Under-19 record 6-0 win over Gibraltar

The Republic of Ireland got their Under-19 Championship Qualifying Group 4 campaign off to the best of starts with well-deserved 6-0 victory over Gibraltar.

A Mark O’Mahony hat-trick along with goals from Tommy Lonergan, Nathan Fraser and Sean Grehan gave Tom Mohan’s charges a victory in their opening group game. With Wales and Hungary drawing 0-0 in their fixture, Ireland go straight to the top of the table.

Ireland had their first opportunity in the opening minutes of the game with Rocco Vata forcing a save from Harry Victor in the Gibraltar goal. O’Mahony had another sight on goal but his half chance was saved by the keeper at his near post.

O’Mahony scored his first goal in the 12th minute. After some good play in the build-up, Sean Grehan executed an excellent pass to Sam Curtis before he crossed to O’Mahony for the finish.

Ireland added a second ten minutes into the second-half. A short corner from Ferizaj found Kevin Zefi who went to the endline and put a low cross into the box for O’Mahony to score his second.

The Cork striker got his hat-trick three minutes later as another short corner from Ferizaj found O’Mahony in the area who applied the finish.

Lonergan had a chance to add a fourth when Ireland was awarded a penalty but he missed from the spot as his effort was well saved by Victor.

Lonergan made up for that penalty miss two minutes later, slotting home Ireland's fourth goal. Zefi’s initial shot on goal could only be parried before Lonergan pounced.

Ireland added a fifth as Murphy sent in a cross from the left and Fraser headed it past Victor at the front post. Ireland made it six in added time as Grehan rose highest to head a Maher corner home.

Ireland will play Wales at 1pm on the 24 September before closing out the group with a game against Hungary at 6pm on the 27^th September.

Republic of Ireland: Byrne (GK) (Maguire (GK) 85), Curtis, Abankwah, Grehan, Murphy, Vata (Maher 61), Gallagher, Vaughan (Lonergan 68), Ferizaj (McJannet 68), O’Mahony (Fraser 61), Zefi.

Gibraltar: H. Victor (GK), Solza (Villa 46), Britto (Capt) (Negron 81), Busto, Rodriquez, Perera (Soiza 62), Gonzalez, Stevens, Caetano (Emrani 62), Cawthron, Jessop.

Referee: Andrei Chivulete (Romania)