Clinical Ireland crush Georgia to maintain World Cup play-off push

The Republic of Ireland have strengthened their hopes of a World Cup play-off spot after outclassing a hapless Georgia side 9-0 in their Group A qualifier in Gori.

Vera Pauw's side entered the game at Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium knowing seven points from their remaining three games will be enough to see them claim a play-off place as they look to become the first Irish team to ever qualify for a major championships, and the result was never in doubt against a side who have failed to score in seven qualifiers, conceding 50 in the process.

Katie McCabe's brace bookended goals from Niamh Fahey and Megan Connolly to give the visitors a 4-0 half-time lead, and it was to get worse after the break with Louis Quinn claiming a brace of headers, McCabe taking home the matchball with her third on the night, 17-year-old Abbie Larkin opening her international account and the dynamic Denise O'Sullivan rounding off the scoring in injury-time.

The comprehensive win in Gori moves Ireland into second place in Group A, a point ahead of Finland.

The goal difference is stretched out to +20, compared to Finland's +8, with the Finns and Slovakia providing the opposition in Ireland's final two games in the September double-header.

It was the ideal start for the visitors when McCabe gave Ireland a sixth-minute lead.

Just the start we wanted! Katie McCabe hammers home the opener after good work from Niamh Fahey, Heather Payne and Denise O'Sullivan #rtesoccer