Republic of Ireland 6 Moldova 0

World Cup Group 6

Saturday April 6 2002

Flancare Park, Longford

Scoring

O'Toole 14, (penalty kick) 40

Hughes 21

Thorpe 56

Saurin 60

Tracy 70

Match

The Republic of Ireland gave themselves a mathematical chance of

winning Group 6 with this comprehensive win over Moldova in their

World Cup qualifier game.

The Irish pinned down the Moldovans in the opening minutes and it was no surprise when they took the lead on 14 minutes. Olivia O'Toole was put down the left wing and lobbed the keeper from approximately 20 yards to make it 1-0. Ireland increased their lead in the 21st minute when Sharon Boyle's free kick found Sonya Hughes who unleashed a shot into the top corner from about 35 yards.

Ireland made it 3-0 on 40 minutes. Ronnie Gibbons and Ciara Grant combined to find Grainne Kierans who crossed to O'Toole who was then upended and won herself a penalty-kick. Olivia took the kick herself and made no mistake from the spot. Ireland increased their lead at 56 minutes when Caroline Thorpe shot home from close range to make it 4-0. Dolores Deasley , Ciara Grant and Olivia O'Toole were replaced by Michelle Kane, Margaret Saurin and Michelle Walsh respectively in the 57th minute.

Margaret Saurin made an immediate impact as a substitute when she rocketed a cross from the right wing into the roof of the net on 60 minutes to make it 5-0. Stand-in captain Yvonne Tracy led by example by completing the scoring in the 70th minute. A superb performance from the Irish and they deserve great credit for this effort.

Rep. Of Ireland

Byrne, Emma (Arsenal)

Gibbons, Ronnie (Fulham)

Boyle, Sharon (Shamrock Rovers)

Deasley, Dolores(Hofstra University, N.Y., USA)

Tracy, Yvonne (Arsenal)

Kierans, Grainne (Charlton Ath.)

Hughes, Sonya (Predators, Belfast)

Grant, Ciara (Arsenal)

Thorpe, Caroline (Leeds United)

O'Toole, Olivia (Shamrock Rovers) Capt.

Substitution

Saurin, Magaret (Memphis Mercury) for Grant, 57

Kane, Michelle (Shamrock Rovers) for Deasley, 57

Walsh, Michelle (St.Catherines) for O'Toole, 57

Moldava

Pegusina

Tanschi, Capt.

Sava

Cercel

Ropot

Bunduchi

Cara

Nartea

Cretu

Capcanari

Substitution

Calutchi for Cara

Vascovskaia for Ropot