The Republic of Ireland Under-21 side moved into the next stage of the UEFA Championship qualifying process with a comfortable 5-1 aggregate victory over Azerbaijan.

Cork City winger Roy O'Donovan grabbed one goal and made another in a rain-soaked second leg at Kilkenny's Buckley Park tonight.

O'Donovan headed home from close range in the 37th minute from a right wing cross by Andy Keogh.

Luton Town defender Kevin Foley then extended the Irish lead in the 69th minute when he got on the end of a right wing cross by O'Donovan.

And Keogh made it 3-0 in the 75th minute when he capitalised on a mistake by defender Elnur Abbasov to shot home from close range.

Keogh had two early chances for the home side in the first six minutes but headed wide from an Aiden McGeady cross then was forced wide by the defence after rounding goalkeeper Kamran Agayev.

McGeady also hit the post with a cutback from the right flank five minutes into the second half.

Ireland goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin was harshly adjudged to have conceded a penalty two minutes into injury-time but atoned for the mistake by saving Ilgar Gurbanov's spot-kick.

The Irish progress to the group stage of the qualifying process where they will meet Belgium and Greece in September.

Don Givens' Irish side have now extended their unbeaten run to six games.