Half-time score-line:
Republic of Ireland 3 – 0 Bulgaria
Rooney 3, 6, 16
Adam Rooney enhanced his incredible scoring record at international level by netting a first half hat-trick to give Ireland a 3-0 advantage at the break. The Stoke City striker has now notched 19 goals in 19 games over the past two years.
Ireland have completely dominated the first-half with
Rooney the star performer so far with a superb display of clinical finishing.
A victory for Ireland tonight will lift them to the top of the qualification table after the other two group opponents, Germany and Hungary, played out a scoreless draw at the Carlisle Grounds in Bray this afternoon.
Only the winners only of the mini-group will progress to the finals of the UEFA U19 Championships in Austria during July.
Rooney opened the scoring after only three minutes when he tapped home at the back post Bulgaria defender good build-up play by
Anthony Stokes on the left-side.
Ireland were awarded a penalty two minutes later when
Stokes was fouled and although
Robert Bayly’s penalty was stopped by goalkeeper Mihaylov,
Rooney followed up to volley into the net from eight yards.
His hat-trick goal was the most impressive of the trio. Striker partner
Stokes stepped over
Jimmy Ryan’s pass to the edge of the area where
Rooney was lurking and he swivelled before drilling a low shot into the bottom left corner.
Quote
Originally Posted by cheifo
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