Winning start for Amanda McQuillan and her colleagues

Amanda McQuillan was almost a spectator between the posts as the Republic of Ireland Women's Under 19s recorded an emphatic 10-0 victory over FYR Macedonia in the first of three UEFA European Championship qualifying games yesterday.

Leanne Kiernan netted four times while Niamh Prior and Alex Kavanagh got two apiece and Jamie Finn and Eleanor Ryan-Doyle scored one each on a hot afternoon in Skopje.

Ireland completely dominated their first game in Group 2, where they occupy top spot alongside Italy who overcame Wales 6-0, and the performance pleased head coach Dave Connell.

Connell knows there is still room for improvement and that momentum will be crucial ahead of Thursday's clash with Wales.

'We were expected to win by some onlookers but the manner in which we went about our performance was particularly pleasing. The aim was to come away the three points and we that in a convincing manner,' said Connell.

Connell paid tribute to the development of the Continental Tyres Women's National League with nine of the 10 goalscorers currently playing in the League while Jamie Finn previously lined out for Raheny United and Shelbourne Ladies.

'The Women's National League has been a huge help to myself and to the players. I deal with the coaches and clubs across the country on a regular basis and the culmination of the girls playing tougher games on a regular basis is the improvement in the standard,' he said.

'We still have a long way to go but the progression has been encouraging.'

Republic of Ireland - Amanda McQuillan; Lucy McCartan (Fiona Donnelly 60), Chloe Moloney, Jamie Finn, Niamh Prior; Niamh Farrelly, Evelyn Daly (Lynn Craven 73); Alex Kavanagh, Saoirse Noonan (Ryan-Doyle 66), Jessica Nolan; Leanne Kiernan.