Goals from Hannah Healy and Kiera Sena helped the Ireland Women's Under-19s beat Bulgaria 2-0 in their opening 2024-25 UEFA European Championship Qualifier.

Keen to make a positive start in Group A3, Dave Connell's side started with a strong line-up that saw Hannah Healy and Freya Healy support Joy Ralph in attack.

It was Shamrock Rovers forward Ralph who showed first intent to strike with an effort that forced the Bulgarian goalkeeper into making a save after just six minutes.

Ireland continued to apply the pressure with Freya Healy, Aoibhe Brennan and Ellen Dolan all joining Ralph in registering shots on target before they broke the deadlock.

The Girls in Green were rewarded for their positive play when Shelbourne ace Hannah Healy netted on 43 minutes and that gave Ireland a deserved lead going in at the interval.

It was more of the same in the second period with Ralph proving to be a real menace for the Bulgarian defence, while Jess Fitzgerald and Grace Fitzpatrick Ryan also had efforts on goal.

Substitute Sena got their second goal of the game in the third minute of added time as the Cork City defender did well to finish off another good attacking move by Ireland.

Next up is a clash with Finland on Saturday (November 30th), who lost 1-0 to Norway in their first game.

Ireland: Katie Keane; Aoibhe Brennan (Kiera Sena 75), Grace Fitzpatrick Ryan, Aoife Kelly, Mary Phillips, Lia O'Leary; Jess Fitzgerald, Ellen Dolan; Hannah Healy, Freya Healy (Katie O'Reilly 61); Joy Ralph.