LAST UPDATE | 31 Aug 2018
THE REPUBLIC OF Ireland have made a great start to the last of their World Cup qualifers as they lead Northern Ireland 4-0 in Tallaght.
Colin Bell’s side unfortunately can’t qualify for the tournament in France, but some superb efforts from Leanne Kiernan and captain Katie McCabe have put them in front as they look to end their campaign on a high.
Kiernan, who recently scored her first competitive goal for West Ham, already has a brace of goals to her credit in this tie as she continues to impress at just 19.
Leanne Kiernan gives the Republic of Ireland an early lead in Tallaght https://t.co/NLf69i77vz pic.twitter.com/NdA5nV7nRD
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) August 31, 2018
She opened Ireland’s account with a beautiful goal in the third minute.
The Cavan native got on the end of a long ball into the Northern Ireland penalty area and lobbed the ball over the head of the keeper to get her side off the mark.
McCabe then doubled Ireland’s lead eight minutes later.
Kiernan was involved once again as she carried possession down the wing before feeding the ball back across to Tyler Toland, who unleashed a strong shot at goal.
Katie McCabe doubles the lead after just 11 minutes! https://t.co/NLf69i77vz pic.twitter.com/jsuMHdlDu5
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) August 31, 2018
Rianna Jarrett was first to get to the rebound and she linked up with McCabe who rifled the ball into the top corner.
Ireland had their third goal before the half-hour mark with Denise O’Sullivan slipping the ball across to Kiernan who finished her shot into the bottom corner of the net.
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
McCabe got her name on the scoresheet once again in the 57th minute from a penalty after the Northern Ireland keeper brought down Ireland’s Harriet Scott in the box.
The referee made no hesitation to point to the spot where McCabe coolly converted the 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
Meanwhile, Toland also shipped a dangerous tackle from Northern Ireland’s Kerry Montgomery who was lucky to escape a red card for the challenge in the first half.
She did get a yellow card while Toland got back up after receiving some treatment and played on.
'That's a horrific challenge' - Northern Ireland's Kerry Montgomery lucky not to be sent off for dangerous foul on Republic of Ireland's Tyler Toland.
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) August 31, 2018
Toland recovered from the challenge pic.twitter.com/UaxWjlzfm4
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How is that not a red?? Made me cringe watching it in slow-mo, very lucky that didn’t become a bad injury
@Liam Melia: couldn’t agree more, shocking tackle – and right in front of the referee. I can’t get my head around that decision.
Pointless report without a line up