Football - WU16s shine in five-star display in Mayo

The Republic of Ireland Women's Under 16s followed up an impressive win against Northern Ireland by overcoming Lithuania in the UEFA Development Tournament at Solar 21 Park in Castlebar.

The home side began with more urgency and almost netted early goals through Isibeal Atkinson and Zara Foley. Their efforts however were just wide of the mark.

Yet the girls in green didn’t have to wait long for their first goal and after 16 minutes of intense pressure, Mia Dodd nodded home from a free kick. 

Lithuania fought back in search of an equaliser and Ugne Lazdauskaite almost grabbed it in the 21st minute when after taking a touch too many, her shot drifted just off target.

Sharon Boyle’s youngsters created plenty of opportunities but failed to capitalise again before halftime and entered the dressing rooms with the narrowest of leads.

The Irish team made their dominance count in the second half and within five minutes of kicking off, Aoife Slattery bagged her second sensational goal of the tournament when her rasping shot hit the post and rebounded over the line.

Emily Whelan was incredibly industrious all day and her industry paid off in the 53rd minute when she latched onto a lobbed through ball from Lucia Lobato to make it 3-0.

The Irish striker was also responsible for the fourth goal as her clever dink hit the arm of Milita Ragauskaite in the box. Sinead Donovan stood up to take the penalty and converted with ease.

Substitute Amy Boyle Carr rounded up an electrifying performance with a screamer of her own to set up a highly-anticipated clash with Denmark - the other team to have accumulated two wins from two - on Friday.

Republic of Ireland: Karen Connolly, Aoife Brophy (Nicole Smyth 40), Aoife Lynagh (Leah Brady 66), Oleta Griffin, Kate McClenaghan (Kayla Brady 40), Zara Foley (Lucia Lobato 40), Jessica Ziu (Sinead Donovan 40), Aoife Slattery (Nadine Clare 53), Mia Dodd, Isibeal Atkinson (Louise Masterson 53), Emily Whelan (Amy Boyle Carr 63).

Lithuania: Meda Seskute (Dominyka Vaiginyte 40), Emilija Ivaskaite (Greta Markauskaite 66), Gintare Blazyte (Milita Ragauskaite 40), Monika Markeviciute, Eva Jakaite (Doroteja Aidukaite 40), Karolina Zelbaite (Erika Deventinaite 60), Judita Sabatauskaite, Loreta Rogaciova (Gabija Toropovaite 53), Ugne Lazdauskaite (Marija Galkina 53), Silvija Safronovic, Karolina Sarkanaite (Erika Supelyte 66).

Referee: Chris Campbell.