Republic of Ireland Under-19 4-1 Gibraltar Under-19

The Republic of Ireland have qualified for the Elite Phase of the UEFA Under-19 Championships after a 4-1 victory over Gibraltar at Ferrycarrig Park in Wexford.

Paul Doolin's side will meet Switzerland, who beat Malta 7-1 today, in the group decider at Waterford's RSC on Tuesday at 2pm.

Ireland started brightly and Reece Grego-Cox slotted home the opener after three minutes when he connected with a cross from the left wing by Jack Hallahan.

Eoghan Stokes made it 2-0 in the 32nd minute when he bundled the ball home from close range after Grego-Cox sent in a low cross following excellent build-up play featuring Jamie McGrath.

Gibraltar pulled a goal back against the run of play in the 37th minute when a poor header by Noe Baba landed at the feet of Jayce Consigliero, who fired home off the underside of Liam Bossin's crossbar.

Baba produced the perfect response when he forced Ireland's third goal in the 42th minute when his low cross was guided home by hapless Gibraltar defender Ethan Jolley.

After the break, Ireland continued to dominate and Stokes grabbed his second goal in the 68th minute when he fired home brilliantly from 25 yards out.

A satisfied Doolin said afterwards: "We did what we set out to do, which was take the three points and we played well enough given the conditions."

"The Swiss game will be a different story, and we know they are a good side, but we have a good group of players who've been excellent since we first got them together at Under-18 level last season."