The Republic of Ireland women's U17 side took a massive step towards qualification to the elite qualifying phase of the UEFA Championships with a dominating 5-0 win over first qualifying stage hosts, Slovenia on Saturday.

Goals from Denise O'Sullivan, Jessica Gleeson, Rianna Jarrett (2) and an own goal from Zivkovic put Noel King's side on top of group 4 ahead of Denmark who defeated Turkey 3-0 in their opening game.

Ireland took the lead after 26 minutes when Denise O'Sullivan kept her cool when she had a one-on-one opportunity with Monika Bokan in Slovenia's goal and the Wilton starlet coolly slotted the ball into the back of the net. Tramore's Jessica Gleeson scored Irelands second just before half time with a powerful header from a corner while Slovenia attacker, Zivkovic put the ball into her own net on 47 minutes to put Ireland into a 3-0 lead.

Substitute, Rianna Jarrett made an instant impact following her introduction in the 60th minute when she volleyed past Bokan in the 67th minute and she scored her second ten minutes later with a neat header in the box to complete the rout.

Noel King's side now face Turkey on Monday knowing that a win would almost guarantee a place in the elite qualifying phase next spring. However, only the ten group winners are guaranteed to advance to the next phase with six runner-up places with the best record against the first and third-placed teams.

The 2009/10 UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship final tournament will be played in June 2010 at the Colovray Stadium opposite UEFA's Swiss headquarters in Nyon. It will be the third time the venue has staged the event, with Germany emerging as champions in both previous seasons. This season's competition will also be a qualifier for the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago; UEFA has been allocated three berths.

Republic of Ireland:
Grace Maloney, Megan Campbell, Jessica Gleeson, Niamh McLaughlin, Dora Gorman, Lois Roche, Denise O'Sullivan, Stacie Donnelly, Aileen Gilroy, Avril Kilkelly, Ciara O'Brien

Substitutes:
Kerry Glynn, Tanya Kennedy (on for Donnelly, 64 mins), Siobhan Killeen, Jennifer Byrne (on for Gleeson, 68 mins), Amanda Budden, Rianna Jarrett (on for O'Sullivan, 60 mins).

UEFA Women's U17 first qualifying phase fixtures and results

Saturday, October 10th

Republic of Ireland 5-0 Slovenia
Denmark 3-0 Turkey

Monday, October 12th

Republic of Ireland v Turkey
Kick-off: 3pm (local time)

Slovenia v Denmark
Kick-off: 3pm (local time)

Thursday, October 15th

Denmark v Republic of Ireland
Kick-off: 3pm (local time)

Turkey v Slovenia
Kick-off: 3pm (local time)