O'Toole boosts Irish hopes

Olivia O'Toole scored four goals as the Republic of Ireland surged to an emphatic 6-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in their first 2005 UEFA European Womens' Championship Group 5 qualifier in Dublin on Sunday.

Superb display
In front of a crowd of 1,000 at Richmond Park, O'Toole stole the show with a devastating attacking display and opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 19 minutes.

Hat-trick complete
The Shamrock Rovers LFC striker struck again seconds before half-time, collecting Ciara Grant's pass before smashing her shot beyond the goalkeeper, and completed her hat-trick four minutes after the interval with another spot-kick.

Substitute on target
O'Toole's fourth, capping a fine flowing move, followed three minutes later, before Arsenal LFC's Michelle O'Brien and substitute Steffani Curtis of Bristol Rovers LFC completed the scoring.

Scanlon included
Included in the Irish starting lineup was Leeds United AFC's Claire Scanlon - the sole survivor from the Irish team that played in 1991. That team was managed by Fran Rooney, an interested spectator at Sunday's game in his new role of FAI chief executive.

Top spot
The result takes the Irish to the top of Group 5 on goal difference, ahead of Croatia, while Malta and Romania are yet to play and Bosnia are bottom of the standings with no points from their opening two fixtures. Next up for the Irish is an away match against Croatia on 25 May, while Bosnia are not in action again until September.