The Republic of Ireland under-18 squad have emulated the achievements of last year's team by reaching the third phase of the 2001 Championship by the narrowest of margins. By winning 6-1 at Drogheda yesterday, while Wales lost 3-1, the Irish qualified on goal difference at the expense of the Welsh.

The game began sluggishly from an Irish viewpoint with chances being missed early on. The Turks took a surprise lead in the 25th minute, when Rabia Istuzen cut inside from the right wing, drew Emma Merrigan off her line and lobbed the ball into the net from 15 yards.

Ireland were level in the 35th minute. Debbie McGuinness, on the right wing, found Samantha McCarthy who won a throw-in, from which Wendy McGrath produced a corner-kick. Elaine O'Connor's corner hit the far post and rebounded to McCarthy who made no mistake.

Ireland went into the lead in the 39th minute when following good approach work by O'Connor, Turkish goalkeeper Gamze saved from McCarthy but the ball rebounded to Leanne Bowler. Although Gamze saved again, McCarthy was on the spot to make it 2-1, which was the half-time score.

The opportunist McCarthy bundled home the ball again in the 50th minute to complete her hat-trick. Subsequently, Gamze made some good saves from Gallagher and dived full length to prevent Michelle Walsh scoring. Gamze also foiled O'Connor and McCarthy, and Emma Murphy hit the post before Ireland increased their lead. Murphy won a corner, from which O'Connor's effort was headed home by Marie Gallagher in the 72nd minute.

Then O'Connor set up Murphy who ran down the right wing and crossed to Gallagher whose header made it 5-1 in the 82nd minute. The final goal was as a result of a free by Marie Curtin just inside the Turkish half. Although it was parried by Gamze, McCarthy tucked it away in the 84th minute.

Republic of Ireland: E Merrigan (Virginia University, US), L McCormack (Lifford), M Curtin (Lifford), L Henchy (Lifford/University of Limerick), E O'Connor (Hofstra State University, New York), E O'Brien (Granville Rangers), S McCarthy (Lifford), D McGuinness (Dundalk), W McGrath (St Catherine's), M Gallagher (Fanad United), L Bowler (St Catherine's). Subs: M Waldron (Firhouse) for McCormack, M Walsh for Bowler, E Murphy (Wilton, Cork) for O'Brien.

Turkey: Gamze, Pasalioglu, Gocmen, Cepni, Ozcigdem, Ozturk, Uzelakcil, Istuzen, Yesil, Tut. Subs: Unal for Gamze, Tatli for Ozturk, Aydin for Yesil.

Referee: A Tvarijonaite (Lithuania).