The Ireland Girl’s Under-15s kicked off their UEFA Development Tournament with a dominant 5-0 win over hosts Croatia on Sunday.

It was an impressive performance across the pitch for Chelsea Noonan’s newly formed side as they secured a victory in the first of their three scheduled matches in the tournament.

Following a strong opening to the contest, Sofia Rice broke the deadlock late in the first half to put the Girls in Green ahead at the interval.

There was no sign of the visitors slowing down after the break. Rice doubled her tally in the opening minutes of the second half, before Rosaleen O’Leary found the net from inside the area to make it 3-0. Shortly after, Erin McCartan converted from the penalty spot to further extend the lead.

Ireland’s dominance continued to shine through the midfield, which allowed McCartan to net her second of the game and Ireland’s fifth to cap a professional performance and secure a promising opening win.

Ireland will look to build on this success when they face Slovakia on Tuesday afternoon, before closing out the tournament against Ukraine on Friday morning.

Ireland: Emma O’Neill (Laura McHugh HT); Penny Murphy (Cece Moloney 61), Charlotte Lyons (Molly Dooling 68), Nikki Mullally, Zoey Clarke; Aimee Greene (C) (Abbie Norris 68), Rosaleen O’Leary, Clara O’Doherty (Amy Nnabugwu HT); Sadhbh Harris (Emily Donovan HT), Erin McCartan (Monroe McBrearty 68), Sofia Rice (Lexi Murphy 61).
Subs not used: Amelia Smialek.

Goals: Sofia Rice 40, 46, Rosaleen O’Leary 50, Erin McCartan 54, 63.

Ireland Lead Coach: Chelsea Noonan
Referee: Sabina Bolić