Sean McCaffrey's Republic of Ireland U19 side opened their Elite Group UEFA European Championship campaign in champagne style tonight. A heavy shower in the late afternoon, had cast a sheen on the surface of United Park in Drogheda, and produced a slick surface ideal for football. At kick-off time the rain had vanished and shimmering sunlight spread across the ground.

Ireland started like Olympic sprinters emerging from the blocks and were two goals ahead within six minutes. A third goal on fifteen minutes meant the game was, barring some catastrophic disaster, won. All three goals came, courtesy of Adam Rooney, bringing his underage goal tally to a phenomenal 19 goals in 19 games. Rooney is employed by Stoke City, but has spent the past two months on loan at Yeovil Town.

Rooney converted his first goal after two minutes. The ball was brought from defence by Blackburn Rovers defender Eddie Nolan, the Irish captain and left back. Nolan passed to Robert Bayly and the Leeds United midfielder swiftly moved the ball down the left flank to Anthony Stokes. The Sunderland striker attacked the penalty area and forced a despairing tackle from one of the posse of defenders surrounding him, the ball broke nicely to Rooney who slotted the ball home.

Four minutes later, Stokes was again at the centre of affairs when collecting the ball inside the box, he was felled by a poor tackle resulting in a penalty kick. Bayly took the kick which was parried by the goalkeeper, but the ever alert Rooney reacted instantly and stroked the rebound to the net.

Bulgaria did attempt a response and had a shot and header which were both well off target. Their efforts were quickly overshadowed when, Liverpool midfielder Jimmy Ryan struck a 30-yard scorcher which was deflected for a corner and then in the 15th minute Ryan again delivered a telling forward pass which Stokes dummied beautifully for Rooney to collect and strike a sweet volley to the bottom corner of the net. Ireland continued to dominate and Stokes twice had opportunities to score but was off target with the first and the second was well saved by the goalkeeper.

In an attempt to turn the tide, the beleaguered Bulgarians made two substitutions but to little avail. Ireland suffered a setback ten minutes before the interval when Ryan was cautioned for a late tackle and a similar fate befell Reading’s Scott Davies three minutes after the resumption of the second half. A further indiscretion by Davies left him walking a tightrope and manager Sean McCaffrey elected to withdraw him and sent on Simon Madden of Leeds United.

While the visitors did make a concerted effort to stay competitive, Ireland continued to dominate and opportunities fell to Rooney who headed over and twice to Stokes whose luck was out. Successive corners, delivered sweetly by Alan Judge of Blackburn Rovers, were headed over by skipper Nolan and Michael Spillane of Norwich City.

Ireland continued to apply the pressure and won a succession of free kicks but the delivery on the night was below par. Bayly received a harsh booking for taking a quick free kick without the referee’s permission and as a consequence will miss the next game against Germany. He had carried a caution from the earlier qualifying stage.

Ireland were forced to substitute goalkeeper Stephen Henderson who suffered vision problems and he was replaced by Shane Redmond of Nottingham Forest. Manager McCaffrey also sent on Keith Treacy, who had been on the Blackburn Rovers bench the previous day, to replace Stokes with seven minutes to go.

The other group game between Germany and Hungary ended scoreless and Ireland will now face the Germans in Dalymount Park on Wednesday night full of confidence from their opening match exploits.