Nolan on target as ireland hit bulgaria for six

JESSICA Nolan scored one of the goals as Ireland's Under 19 women's team hit Bulgaria for six in their second UEFA European Championship qualifier in Slovenia yesterday.

Manager Dave Connell had asked his team to do all that they could to pick up the three points after drawing 1-1 with hosts Slovenia on Tuesday, and they certainly did that with a deserved win.

Megan Connolly netted four times - bringing her tally to five from two games - while captain Savannah McCarthy and winger Jessica Nolan, from Manulla, got one apiece to leave Ireland second in Group 10 behind leaders Russia.

Said Connell: “We passed the ball a lot better today. We had a lot of chances on Tuesday against Slovenia but we converted them against Bulgaria and we were very dominant overall.”

Connolly opened the scoring for Ireland after just nine minutes, showing her class to execute in an early stage of the game, and McCarthy followed it up with a goal of her own on 12 minutes.

The chemistry between the two was evident throughout, especially when Connell moved McCarthy further forward, and the goals kept on coming, with Connolly notching in three more, including one from the penalty spot.

Nolan, who will be plying her trade with Castlebar Celtic in the Continental Tyres Women's National League, fired in a goal as well to showcase the spread of quality in this Ireland squad and they will look to match that with their confidence as they prepare to take on Russia on Sunday (September 20) in what will be a battle to top the group.