A free-kick from Jess Fitzgerald helped the Ireland Women's Under-19s to a 1-0 win over Serbia in their opening UEFA WU19 European Championship Elite Round qualifier.

Dave Connell's squad are aiming to return to the finals tournament after featuring in Lithuania last year and they made the perfect start here in Port Talbot, Wales.

Placed in Group A6 alongside France and Cymru, the Girls in Green knew that securing three points from their first qualifier would give them a great chance of qualifying as group winners.

Ireland set out to seize control of this game from early on and registered 14 attempts on goal in total. The Shamrock Rovers pair of Joy Ralph and Katie O'Reilly went close with early chances.

Serbia kept Ireland out and applied pressure of their own, but Connell's team used their experience - with many players involved who featured at last summer's EUROs - to keep their composure.

The breakthrough finally arrived on 74 minutes when Peamount United midfielder Fitzgerald fired a direct free-kick past goalkeeper Andjela Pajevic.

A fine save from Ireland stopper Katie Keane on 87 minutes denied Serbia an equaliser while Shelbourne's Rebecca Devereux almost doubled their lead. But one goal proved to be enough.

Ireland: Katie Keane; Aoife Turner, Mary Phillips, Aoife Kelly, Kiera Sena; Jess Fitzgerald, Aoibhe Brennan; Katie O'Reilly (Rebecca Devereux 58), Hannah Healy (Lucy Fitzgerald 88), Lia O'Leary; Joy Ralph.