The Republic of Ireland Women's Under-16s got off to a winning start in a Development Tournament in Malta by beating Turkey 4-0 in the Centenary Stadium.

It took just 12 minutes for Tom Elmes's team to open the scoring when Shelbourne winger Lia O'Leary supplied a cool finish under the blazing sun.

Ireland built on that early advantage by moving the ball well in transition, stretching their opponents and winning possession back quickly whenever they were without the ball.

They held that one-goal lead going in at the break before adding to it on 49 minutes when DLR Waves forward Joy Ralph found herself in the right place to fire in.

Cork City defender Heidi Macken and Treaty United's Katie Lawlee both got one goal each to stretch their team's lead and ensure that the Girls in Green would be celebrating at the full-time whistle.

Next up is a match against Lebanon on Saturday afternoon before they round out the tournament next Tuesday against Malta.

Republic of Ireland: Katie Keane; Aoife Turner (Niamh Tyrell 72), Grace Fitzpatrick, Heidi Macken (Aoibhe Fleming 63), Alice Lillie (Amy Madden 63); Ellen Dolan (Aoife Kelly 46), Jess Fitzgerald (Jodie Griffin 72); Katie Lawlee, Jodie Loughrey, Lia O'Leary (Grace Flanagan 63); Joy Ralph (Fiana Bradley 72).

Turkey: Defne Sarıoğlu; Nisa Sakallıoğlu, Cansel Yigit, Havin Özsoy; Aleyna Eslem Topcu, Ecemnur Öztürk, Melisa Kurt, Tuana Demirbaş, Tuana Naz Turcin, Zeynep Bilir, Ada Odabasi.

Referee: Joanna Vassalio (Malta).

Fixtures
Thursday, April 14 | Republic of Ireland 4-0 Turkey | Centenary Stadium
Saturday, April 16 | Lebanon v Republic of Ireland | Centenary Stadium | KO 14:00
Tuesday, April 19 | Republic of Ireland v Malta | Centenary Stadium | KO 14:00