Rocco Vata hit a hat-trick as Ireland Under-21s produced a record-breaking 7-0 win against San Marino in their EURO U21 Qualifier.

Unlucky to only earn one point from their last two games against qualification rivals Norway and Italy, Crawford’s men looked to add to their tally of 10 points from their first five games and did so in what could have been tricky circumstances. 

But a superbly finished Sinclair Armstrong first-half strike helped settle the nerves and whatever frustration that might have arisen, before a ruthless six goal second half helped the Young Boys in Green cruise to victory.

It was the biggest win at this age level since Noel King's Under-21s dispatched Estonia 5-0 in Tallaght back in 2010.

In their first trip to San-Marino at this age group and, having overcome their opposition 3-0 in the reverse fixture at Turner’s Cross last September, the Irish were desperately unlucky not to make the breakthrough after just three minutes. 

Rocco Vata - who notched a double against San Marino last time out - almost grabbed an assist when his whipped corner was powered down by Anselmo Garcia MacNulty but he saw his header well saved by Matteo Batistini.

Armstrong, was next to go close showing great power and pace to race in behind from a quick throw-in but opted for power at the near post, as the angle got too tight. From the resulting corner Bosun Lawal volleyed over from 12-yards out as pressure began to build.

It took until the 25^th minute to finally make the breakthrough when QPR front man Armstrong was on hand to grab his fourth international goal finishing a beautiful flowing move, having been cleverly set-up by Moran.

Minutes later Lawal saw his looping header brilliantly tipped onto the bar by the busy Battistini as the chances kept flowing. Ireland, and Armstrong, really should have made it two when  – perhaps distracted by Garcia MacNulty jumping in his eyeline – powered a header off the crossbar from close range.

Ahead of their much deserved call-ups to the senior side, Joe Hodge and Andrew Moran featured together for the first time this campaign and continued to dominate proceedings, looking to pick holes in the San Marino defence as Matt Healy swept up confidently behind.

Ireland hit San Marino with a quick double whammy after the restart when Moran reacted quickest to follow up on Vata’s spilled free kick to tap home before Armstrong got his second bravely sliding in to finish from Healy’s low cross from the right-hand side. 

Just after the hour mark, Vata got in on the act with a double of his own in quick succession. Firstly taking advantage of some sloppy defensive play to volley home, before hitting a classily struck low effort from 25-yards out that rifled into the bottom corner, making it five.

The relentless youngsters continued to push forward and made it six as the game drew to a close. Substitute Armstrong Oko-Fllex got in on the act, finishing high into the roof of the net with one of his first touches.

And on the stroke of full time Vata, was on hand to bundle home from Lawal's shot to claim the match ball and put the icing on the cake.

Tougher challenges await as Jim Crawford et al now look forward to a tough away Turkish test in their next Euro qualifier in September.

San Marino: Matteo Batistini; Giacomo Benvenuti, Giacomo Matteoni, Mattia Sancisi (Nicolas Giacopetti, 63’); Simone Giocondi, Matteo Valli Casadei, Nicolo Sancisi (Diego Zavoli, 63’), Nicolo Chiaruzzi (Marco Casadei, 80’), Tommaso Benvenuti (Luca Terenzi, 80’) Samuele Zannoni (Andrea Dolcini, 73’), Nicola D’Addario

Ireland: Josh Keeley; Sam Curtis (Sean Grehan, 70’), Bosun Lawal, Anselmo Garcia MacNulty, Tayo Adaramola; Joe Hodge (Killian Phillips, 75’), Matt Healy, Andrew Moran (Zak Gilsenan, 70’); Tony Springett (Armstrong Oko-Flex, 70’), Rocco Vata, Sinclair Armstrong (Mark O’Mahony, 70’)