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Rooney fires Ireland to impressive opening win

Monday 14th May 2007, 11:25 pm

Adam Rooney scored a stunning hat-trick inside the opening sixteen minutes as Ireland started UEFA under-19 elite qualifying with a bang at United Park, Drogheda tonight.

Those three goals sent Ireland on their way to a 3-0 win over Bulgaria and top of the group after the day's other group game between Hungary and Germany finished 0-0 in Bray.

Rooney gave Ireland the perfect start as he tapped the ball home at the back post after only three minutes. Anthony Stokes' run at the defence had created the chance with Rooney taking advantage from close range.

Just two minutes later and Stokes was brought down in the box. Although Robert Bayly saw his spot kick saved, Rooney was on hand to volley home and make it 2-0.

He completed his hat-trick in the sixteenth minute when Stokes left Jimmy Ryan's cross field pass - confusing the defence - and allowing Rooney to set himself to fire home a low shot to make it 3-0.

The goal brought Rooney's average to a goal per game from nineteen games for Ireland over the last couple of years.

A dominant Ireland could have added to their tally in the second half but it remained 3-0. Only the group winners advance making every game crucial with Ireland facing Germany at Dalymount Park on Wednesday night.

Goalkeeper Stephen Henderson is a doubt for that game after collecting a head injury which forced him off before the end tonight. Robert Bayly also misses that game having picked up his second booking of the qualifying campaign tonight.

Ireland : Henderson (Redmond 77), Davies (Madden 53), Lowry, Spillane, Nolan, Judge, Ryan, Power, Bayly, Stokes (Treacy 83), Rooney.

Hungary : Mihaylov, Damyanov, Ivanov, Vasilev, Dyulgerov (Pavlov 36), Baltanov, Ognyanov, Illiev (Yordanov 76), Hristov (Abrashav 29), Lemerov, Filipov.

Referee : B. Duartepaixao (Portugal).