Irish see off Italy to boost survival hopes

Ireland 3 Italy 0

They now move on to the next stage of the competition tomorrow when they take on Ukraine in a match which, if they win, will guarantee their status in the top echelon of the game in Europe.

Italy was a hurdle they had to overcome first, however, and when Cathy McKean slotted home in the 11th minute after Eimear Cregan caused havoc in the Italian defence, some of the tension among the Irish players evaporated.